I'm keeping watch over clock tower's restoration

DREAM COME TRUE FOR BOY, 5, BORN WITH RARE GENETIC CONDITION

- By SUE KIRBY Reporter [e-mail]

DESPITE being born with a rare genetic disorder, nothing stops five-year-old Theo Gait from living life to the full - including indulging his love of clocks and watches.

The Teesside youngster is one of around 20 children in the UK that has the extremely rare genetic condition, Pallister Killian syndrome, caused by the presence of an extra and abnormal chromosome.

Because it is so rare his family don't know how it will affect him in the future - but mum, Rachel Carroll, says it will certainly involve clocks and watches.

The Middlesbrough youngster tours the area, especially old properties, to look at the clocks.

The young pupil was even a bit put out when no horologists turned up at his school, Kader Academy, as part of careers week, saying he wants to be a clock fixer.