Student makes film of operation

Thomas's operation is due to take place on Wednesday

An A-level student is making a documentary of a 14-hour operation to attach metal rods to his spine which will allow him to breathe more easily.

Thomas Williams, 17, of Newborough, near Burton-upon-Trent, Staffs, has a spine so curved that his ribs press on his lungs, hindering his breathing.

He will have the operation at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, in Birmingham.

Thomas, who wants to be a film producer, is making the documentary for the charity Scope.

He said he hoped the footage of the operation, which is due to take place on Wednesday, would help others going through the same experience.

'Very nervous'

Thomas, who weighs five-and-a-half stone, had to wait until he stopped growing for surgeons to carry out the procedure.

If he did not have the operation he would be in constant pain and would struggle to breathe.

However, the procedure will mean his movement will be restricted.

Thomas said: "I was in the middle of a recent A-level exam and I had to stop and say I couldn't do it anymore until my oxygen cylinder was found to get me breathing."

He added: "If they said in two minutes you will go down to theatre I would do it right now."

His mother Ruth said she was "very nervous" about the operation but that her son was not.

She said: "I'll be glad when tomorrow's over and the next few days when he is in a high dependency unit."