BRAVE Liam Lyons can look forward to a normal childhood after undergoing the third major operation of his young life.

Two-year-old Liam is recovering from an operation to close a hole in his heart which his parents hope will be the last surgery he has to endure.

The Darlington youngster was born with an interrupted aorta, a condition which led to severe heart and bronchial problems.

He had to have two life-saving lung operations at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle before he was six-months-old.

It was the first time the pioneering procedure to open his airways had been performed in the North-East.

Liam had a breathing aid removed last year and relieved parents Joanne and Jason Lyons say the latest operation, which took place last month, should be his last.

Mrs Lyons said: "The operation was to close a hole in his heart and it went really well.

"Since he had it he's been much more full of life - and he doesn't look blue any more.

"We feel really good that everything is over and done with now."

Liam will still need regular hospital check-ups, but mum and dad are now hoping to make up for lost time.

Mrs Lyons said: "He'll always have breathing problems, but otherwise he's just going to be like a normal little boy and that's a relief for us."