THE family of a seriously ill Hampshire boy are celebrating victory after their son has been granted access to a breakthrough drug.

Jagger Curtis suffers from a severe muscle wasting condition called Duchenne muscular dystrophy which means he is unlikely to live beyond his 20s and is not expected to be able to walk when he is in his teens.

Now the eight-year-old Saints fan's loved ones are rejoicing after health chiefs announced a landmark decision to secure funding for a treatment which could help him live longer.

The declaration- announced three days earlier than planned - marks the climax of the Romsey family's fight for him to get access to the drug Translarna - an expensive treatment which could slow down the symptoms of the condition.

Now the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has announced they are making it available on the NHS for a five year period.

Last year families from across England faced an agonising wait after NHS England waiting for further evidence from NICE before deciding whether to fund a drug trial.

Despite pleas from Jagger to Prime Minister David Cameron, he eventually found out the drug trials wouldn’t be funded.

But in February NICE said they were reviewing a Managed Access Agreement (MAA) allowing the £200,000 drug to be available on the NHS for the five years period if the patient meets certain criteria, which Jagger does.

The Romsey Abbey Primary School pupil celebrated last nights decision by travelling to the Championship clash between Fulham and Brighton at Craven Cottage with dad James.

Mr Curtis, 42, said he was "surprised" at the announcement being made before previously planned on Monday and said: "We are so amazed that we can't quite believe it.

"I was quite teary when I first heard. We feel like we want to throw a party.

"After all the campaigning it it's amazing that the decision has finally made. Hopefully it is going to buy him a bit of time and help with his mobility."

He said the last two years of campaigning have been "a struggle", but added: "We have had so many ups and downs and the whole family has been affected and have been under a lot of pressure.

"But everybody has been so amazing helping campaign. This is going to help so many families who really deserve it. This can be the start of something big."

The announcement comes just a week after the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) said it wouldn’t fund the drug - which could see families compelled to move over the border in order to secure the drug for their sons.

The families of just over 50 eligible children in England – 60 across the UK – have waited almost 18 months for a decision from NHS England on funding for the drug, and there are fears some children may have lost the ability to walk during this time, meaning they will no longer meet eligibility criteria.

Robert Meadowcroft, Chief Executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “Parents of children eligible for Translarna have fought courageously for this outcome, and to give their children the chance to keep walking for longer.

"This announcement comes as wonderful news and a true victory for the families.

"Such an agreement will allow us to gain a clearer picture of the full potential of Translarna, and, crucially, to buy precious time for other promising potential treatments to reach licensing stage.

"It is a chance to transform childhoods."

Romsey and Southampton North MP Caroline Nokes, who has supported the family's battle praised them for a "hard-fought" campaign adding: "I know they will be extremely relieved to know that Jagger will finally be able to access this life-changing drug."