YOUNGSTER Luke Johnson is learning to live a normal life after he suffered a stroke while still in the womb.

Luke had a severe stroke before birth, which had virtually destroyed the left side of his brain, leaving the right side of his body useless.

But two years later, Luke's brain has adjusted to the trauma and healed itself.

Now, the youngster is the subject of a study, which may bring fresh hope to thousands of stroke victims.

Experts discovered that the part of his brain which would normally control his vision had started sending impulses to the muscles in his right arm and leg.

Now, an £80,000 study on the toddler from Shotley Bridge, County Durham, will examine his brain patterns, and see if the information gleaned can be adapted to help stroke and cerebral palsy victims.

The scientific team is based at the St James Spence Institute of Child Health at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary.

Professor Janet Eyre and her colleague, Dr Martin Smith, hope to prove that the brains of children can learn to carry out functions they would not normally do, to compensate for damaged areas.

Luke's mother, Pat, 30, said: "It is only by exploring brain function in a child like Luke that doctors will be able to help him and others reach their full potential.

"We feel this is the least our son deserves. What he has achieved is incredible."