A YOUNG Bridgwater boy is set to return home from the United States following life-saving heart surgery.

Freddy Vallender, 4, of Bawdrip, had travelled to Boston Children's Hospital following a crowdfunding campaign 'Freddy's Fight For Life' which raised a staggering £90,000 since June last year.

Young Freddy had an extremely rare heart condition and was one of only seven children in the UK to suffer with a cardiac tumour - called a fibroma - in his left ventricle.

He underwent surgery in January, but has been receiving further treatment and testing and this week has been given the go-ahead to fly home with his family.

His mum, Cathryn, said: "Freddy's recovery is going really well. They are happy with him from a surgical point of view.

"We will be back in Boston in the summer for a further electro physiology study. Once again we want to say thank you to you all for your love and support and to The Ray Tye Medical Aid Foundation for making our miracle come true."

Freddy has been helped by countless Bridgwater folk who have got behind the cause. In September more than 150 tractors descended on the Sedgemoor Auction Centre to help raise funds; Bridgwater couple Joe and Fi Moretti organised a raffle where the prize was their villa in Cyprus, while Sedgemoor FM's DJ Dave Englefield managed to complete a 28-hour radio show marathon to help Freddy.

Freddy attends Cheeky Chimps nursery in Ashcott and the Vallender family also includes dad Andy, an Avon and Somerset police officer, and Freddy's older brother, six-year-old Zack.