When he was born they said he probably wouldn't live beyond three years old - but family and friends came together on Saturday to help Samuel Boakes celebrate his 21st birthday.

And they weren't the only ones marking the day - as Samuel received dozens of cards from around the world to wish him a happy birthday, thanks to an appeal to the public from his mum Ruth Dalton.

"We just wanted to make it extra special for him," she explained, at the party at their home in Summerson Close, Rochester. "When he was four months old they said there was something wrong with him. They said if he lives past infancy he will be unlikely to live past three.

"My world just collapsed - I'll never forget that - I can still picture the whole scene.

"Every single day when I went to bed I told him I love him because I didn't know if it would be the last time. That was every day for 17 years."

Genetic tests led to Samuel being diagnosed aged 17 with the extremely rare Bainbridge-Ropers Syndrome - which means he is non-verbal and spends 80% of his time in a wheelchair.

"The only fatalities they know of connected with it is when there's an underlying heart conditon," explained Ruth. "It's not a given because there's not enough about the condition - there's only 200 worldwide.

"Twenty one is a big birthday for anybody but because of what they said when he was a baby it's extra special."

Samuel was joined by close friends and family for a birthday barbecue at home in Summerson Close, and was back to the Young Epilipsy college in Lingfield - where he boards during the week - for a party with his friends the following day.

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