A TWO-year-old boy, who has spent most of his life in a bubble, has been told he can come home for good.

Nathan Goldsmith had been confined to the sterile bubble unit of a hospital children's ward.

The youngster, from East Herrington, Wearside, was born with the rare genetic disorder severe combined immunodeficiency, a disease that affects one in 100,000 births and prevents the natural immune system from working effectively.

Nathan has had to receive drugs to top up his immune system, but in September his treatment was changed to Septrin - a combination of antibiotics that stop him getting day-to-day infections.

The toddler responded so well that doctors decided he could continue taking the drugs at home and only have to return to hospital for check-ups.

Proud parents Paul, 30, and Louise, 29, had been praying for a worry-free Christmas.

Mr Goldsmith said: "He's been doing really well. The doctors only gave him a 50-50 chance, so it's great that he took so well to the new treatment.

"It doesn't mean that he will not ever have to go back in hospital, or even back on the other treatment, but what it has given him is the all-clear for now."

Mr Goldsmith said that since having Nathan home, their lives had been completely different.

"We have a normal life now. It's all changed. Last year, he was just getting back to being himself, but this year, he's just a normal two-year-old baby - although he is about six times more hyperactive."

Mr Goldsmith said the New Year would bring a new start for the family.

He said: "We have booked a holiday for next year to Spain and in the summer we will be taking him swimming, so we're looking forward to doing ordinary things like that with him."