Kind-hearted Scarborough people quickly rallied round to raise £3,400 after learning of the plight of Ciaron Eaveson who suffers from head abnormalities called plagiocephaly and brachycephaly.

The treatment involved Ciaron wearing a blue STARband helmet, which moulds the shape of his head, for six months.

It has now been successfully removed and thrilled mum Paula, of Langdale Road, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the results. The shape of Ciaron's head is just so much better. This has completely transformed his life because, if he had not undergone the treatment when we did, it would have been too late as he would have been too old."

Ciaron had to wear the helmet 23 hours a day.

Mrs Eaveson added: "It didn't seem to cause him too much discomfort and it came at a good time as he was learning to stand up and walk so if he fell over he did not hurt his head. So that was very handy."

Mrs Eaveson and husband Graham were devastated when York Primary Care Trust backed out from financing the treatment, leaving the family with just four months to find alternate funding. A story was featured in the Evening News which triggered a large number of donations. Mrs Eaveson said: "I cannot thank everyone enough."

Ciaron's brother Joe, 11, said: "I am really pleased he had the treatment. His head looks so much better."

Terry Kaye, landlord of the Commercial, in Falsgrave Road, was one of the donors. He said: "Hearing the treatment has worked is music to my ears. That is exactly why I donated the money. I wanted to help give the boy a better start in life. It was completely worth it."

Owner of Mist bar Tony Snow also helped pay for the treatment. "He said: "I am really pleased. However, it never should have come to that. The trust should have funded it. But I was happy to help. No-one likes to see a child suffering."

The STARband helmet treatment cost £2,000 and the rest of the money raised was used to create a trust fund to help other children who have the condition.

Plagiocephaly, also known as flat head syndrome, is a malformation of the head leaving a flattened area on the back of the head.