IPSWICH boy Michael Browes is today recovering in hospital, after having his hip smashed then rebuilt in a major operation to help him walk again. Eleven-year-old Michael hit Star headlines in June, after his rare bone condition was finally diagnosed, and then Ipswich Hospital was able to arrange for him to have the op.

IPSWICH boy Michael Browes is today recovering in hospital, after having his hip smashed then rebuilt in a major operation to help him walk again.

Eleven-year-old Michael hit Star headlines in June, after his rare bone condition was finally diagnosed, and then Ipswich Hospital was able to arrange for him to have the op.

The Stoke High pupil from Downing Close, who was born with club feet, had struggled to walk all his life as his bones failed to develop properly.

The two-hour operation performed on September 5, involved breaking his left hip several times, and pinning it back together with steel plates.

Michael is today recovering on Boxford Ward, in traction, and will be in traction for the next six weeks.

Doctors hope to have him well enough to return home by Christmas.

His dad Mark Aldred was happy to report on his progress, and said: "The operation went well.

"They basically took his left hip apart, cut it in half, then cut it in half again, and reshaped the parts to fit better, then screwed it back together with steel plates.

"He was very white when he emerged from the operation because he'd lost a lot of blood. It was really quite a frightening time for us, but he is sitting up fine and laughing and joking today.

"He's busy making plastic model aeroplanes, which are hanging up over his bed."

His mum Tracy is spending her days at Michael's hospital bedside, and she said: "He's as well as can be expected – and he's been a lot braver than I would have been!"

Meanwhile, Mr Aldred, 27, is busy decorating Michael's bedroom with blue and white crepe paper banners because Michael is an avid Ipswich Town fan.

He met some of his heroes at training last month, and the Star also arranged for him to meet his speedway heroes at Foxhall Stadium in July.