BRAVE youngster Liam Lyons shrugged off his troubles and celebrated his third birthday with friends and family yesterday.

Liam has already had three major operations at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, including two lung operations and a heart operation, but yesterday he was smiling with the best of them.

He was joined by relatives and family friends for a party at his grandparents' house, in Cockfield, County Durham.

His grandmother, Ann Lyons, said: "Liam has had a tough few years, but he is a fighter and we are so proud that we can be here to share his third birthday celebrations with him."

Liam was born with an interrupted aorta, and doctors at the Freeman had to carry out pioneering surgery to keep his airways open.

Last year, he underwent surgery for the third time for an operation to close a hole in his heart, from which he has had a successful recovery.

But despite his problems, his family are delighted he is able to enjoy nursery.

Mrs Lyons said: "There is a fair way to go, but we are behind Liam and we will give him all the love and support he needs. His parents, Joanne and Jason, are so proud of him - he's a little angel."