A YOUNG boy from Clacton will not be enjoying Christmas dinner this year - because he is allergic to food.

A YOUNG boy from Clacton will not be enjoying Christmas dinner this year - because he is allergic to food.

Thomas Hills, 5, has never eaten a proper meal due to a rare condition that means his body cannot handle solids.

Thomas was diagnosed with eosinophilic mucusol disease - which means he cannot digest food - about two years ago.

He has to be fed pre-digested food in a bottle or through a tube into his stomach through the day and twice at night.

His mother, dance teacher Lisa Hills, said: “It's a very, very rare condition.

“There are not many children in the world who cannot eat anything at all. The doctors don't really know anything about the life expectancy because it is so rare.

“He has a special formula, like babies, which I make up with water. It sounds a bit disgusting but it's already been pre-digested so the body doesn't have to do any work.

“He has it in a bottle or through a tube - I get up at midnight and 4am to feed him.

“Thomas wants to eat - he got hold of a ginger nut biscuit last year and went into anaphylactic shock.”

Despite not being able to tuck into a traditional Christmas dinner, Market Field School pupil Thomas will be enjoying a festive treat - a Christmas tree shaped ice lolly.

Ms Hills has three other children Sam, 17, Jessica, 14, and James, 8

“We will be having a Christmas dinner, it's tradition and we will make sure Thomas is fully involved.

“I will freeze him some ice in a Christmas tree shape for him to suck while we eat.

“He's not allowed any colouring or flavouring in it, it's pure water.

“He'll get a little present at the table and there will be plenty of crackers to keep him occupied.”