A Hampshire schoolboy faces an uncertain future after being left paralysed by a rare illness.

Joshua Edwards, 11, has been struck down with an illness so rare there had only been 27 cases reported in the world.

A pupil at Noadswood School, Dibden Purlieu, Joshua fell ill last month and was admitted to hospital after complaining of back, head and neck pain.

Doctors found a blood clot or 'inner birthmark' on Joshua's spine and diagnosed Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Haematoma.

As a result of the illness, Joshua is now paralysed from the waist down and will need round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.

Now his grandma has started a website with family and friends to help raise the estimated £1.5m needed to take care of Joshua after he leaves hospital.

Carol Edwards, 60, Hythe, said she hopes the website will raise awareness of her grandson's plight and help fund the care he needs.

She said the illness has "devastated" the whole family with Joshua's mum Alison having to give up work to take care of him.

Joshua has been staying at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Buckinghamshire.

Joshua also has a nine-year-old sister, Georgia, and two brothers Ben, seven and Colin Adam, five. Dad Colin works as a driver for Trants in Totton.

So far the appeal has raised £252 but money is needed for full-time physiotherapy, a full-time carer and a specialist wheelchair costing £14,000.