ONE year old Elliott-Liam Brown is a happy smiley baby — but he must wear a specially-fitted helmet to protect himself because of a condition affecting just one in 3,000 children.

The youngster has West Syndrome — a rare form of epilepsy characterised by spasms and a bowing forwards or backwards movement.

His helmet protects his head when he has a fit — something which happened 15 times in 48 hours when he was first diagnosed.

Now family and friends are set to march through Bolton to raise awareness of his condition.

His mum Nicola Brown said: "When I found out Elliott-Liam had epilepsy, I didn't know what to do — I just froze.

"I'd never even heard of West Syndrome before he was diagnosed with it — at first, I thought it was just trapped wind.

"When he has his good days, he's such a happy, smiley baby — he's so friendly."

Elliott-Liam was diagnosed with the condition in September and now has seizures two or three times a month.

Such is the severity of his condition that his mother Nicola has to look after him round-the-clock.

Miss Brown has had to move the family from their flat in Hargreaves House in the town centre to a three-bedroom flat in Farnworth, to be closer to Royal Bolton Hospital in the case of an emergency.

The 25-year-old, of Springfield Road, Farnworth, has had plenty of support throughout her ordeal — she has been in touch with other mothers whose children have West Syndrome through Facebook and a group of friends help her with day-to-day tasks like shopping while she looks after Elliott-Liam.

She said: "My friends have been absolutely brilliant with me — I can't thank them enough.

"I have been speaking to other mothers in London and the USA who have been in similar positions to myself and it really opens your eyes to how many people this affects."

The group's fundraiser is on Epilepsy Awareness Day on March 26 and they are hoping to raise £2,000 for the charity Youth Epilepsy.

Miss Brown and a group of friends will walk through Bolton town centre dressed in purple.

She added: "I'm really looking forward to the walk. If I could raise £200, that would be a fantastic achievement."

Miss Brown and her team of fundraisers will dye their hair purple and wear purple clothes for their walk.

To donate money towards Miss Brown's walk, visit www.justgiving.com/Nikki-Fields.