The brave eight-year-old, went to Birmingham Children's Hospital yesterday to have the limbs with joints at the knee fitted.

He had previously been walking with plastic legs similar to those used by runners.

Dad, Steve, of Morleyfields Close, said: "He will be in hospital a few weeks because he will have to learn to walk on them."

The family requested the new limbs at Christmas as Edward has quickly mastered walking on the first ones he was given and they felt he was ready for the challenge.

The good news comes at a time when a fund set up in Edward's name has reached almost £300,000.

The Edward Bright Appeal was launched by Bill Heaton, of Codnor, a friend of the Bright family after Edward contracted the potentially deadly Y-strain of the virus in February, 2007.

The fund has raised £260,000 with an additional £30,000 raised by a staff from Bird's confectioners in Ripley.

The fund snowballed after people in Ripley took brave Edward to their hearts and wanted to help him.

Mr Heaton said: "Money is still coming in – people haven't forgot."
All money goes towards providing a better life for Edward, who has an identical twin called William.

The fund will change hands on Thursday when parents Clare and Steve Bright will become the trustees.

"We've got a lot to be thankful for, said Clare, "we're lucky to have him.

"He wants to do what he's always done and there's nothing stopping him. He never gets frustrated, he just sees it as big people stopping him from doing what he wants to do."

Edward's fund has also been boosted by the Ripley and Heanor News and our sister paper the Derbyshire Times which have donated £500 to the appeal.