Bid to build children's hospice

Ellie's brother died from the condition five years ago

The parents of a terminally-ill child from Cornwall hope to create the first children's hospice in the county.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Ellie Libby was born with a genetic condition so rare, it does not have a name. It killed her brother Thomas when he was 14 months.

Nigel and Julie Libby want to set up Ellie's Haven to help families in the same situation as them.

The hospice will cost £3m to build, but a local landowner has donated a plot of land on the outskirts of Looe.

Autumn ball

"The site is absolutely amazing," Mrs Libby told BBC News.

"It looks over fields and you can also see Looe Island.

"We're so grateful to James Kitson for donating the land to us."

The plot for the hospice was donated by a local landowner

The running costs will be about £2m and the couple are working with friends to set up a charity to help raise money and have printed T-shirts to sell and wear at public events.

The charity will be officially launched at a ball this autumn - the first major fund-raising event for Ellie's Haven.

Mr Libby said a website has also been set up to raise awareness of the illness.

"It explains Ellie's Haven and what we're trying to achieve," he said.

"It's about awareness, so we're telling people about Ellie, me and Julie and our son Thomas who died five years ago."