Up and running in no time, the nine-year-old meningitis survivor who has a new spring in his step

A nine-year-old meningitis survivor can run like other children for the first time after a gift of new carbon fibre legs.

Harvey Phillips has been fitted with paralympian-style running blades - with doctors predicting that the nine-year-old would take up to two months to learn to walk on them.

But incredibly, the schoolboy was racing up and down his garden within hours of putting on the £15,000 blades.

The carbon fibre blades, which are not available on the NHS, are much lighter in weight than his prosthesis legs and give Harvey his freedom.

Harvey contracted the meningococcal strain of meningitis when he was only nine months old, in July 2005.

Surgeons battled to save the tot, from Louth, Lincolnshire, and had to amputate the lower parts of his arms and legs.

Harvey's new legs mean he will now be able to walk for much longer periods, and even run after his sister and friends.

Darren said: "He wanted to sleep in them the first day he got them. He had them on for about five hours straight and enjoyed walking around town in them.

"People say how he always has a smile on his face.

"They are supposed to take up to six weeks to settle in but the doctors were blown away when he went running off through the clinic in them.

"They have given him his freedom. He could only walk for about half an hour in the other legs, which were not ideal."

Harvey said: "Thank you to all those who have helped pay for my new legs. I am looking forward to going to Blundell Park in them to watch Grimsby Town."

His grandmother, Gillian Phillips, said: "The new legs are brilliant. Even when he falls down he can get himself back up. With the extra height he can see over the kitchen tops.

"He will be able to do more at school and be able to chase after his older sister Kayla."

The money for the new legs was raised by supporters of The Harvey Phillips Appeal who took part in sponsored bike rides, walks, darts marathons and auctions to raise money for the equipment Harvey will need throughout his life.

Dad Darren thanked all those who helped raise the money for the new legs, especially Louth businessmen Simon and Andrew Grantham, of GBM UK, who covered half of the cost.

Darren added: "We are especially grateful to the Grantham brothers for paying for half of the cost. It was very nice of them. They are very genuine and we all want to say a special thank you to them and to everyone else who has supported the appeal.