FOUR-year-old Harley Noble, who suffers with a rare disability, has never been able to play on grass without it making him ill.

But the lively youngster can now enjoy playing on the front lawn with his little sister thanks to a generous donation.

Harley has a rare form of cerebral palsy and the current prognosis is that he will never be able to walk or talk.

Mum Christina Lace says an unusual side effect of his condition, which has left him confined to a wheelchair, is that he is “texture sensitive” and has a particular problem with grass.

That caused difficulties during the summer when Christina wanted to get Harley out in the fresh air with his sister Lilly, who is three.

And that is where Deeside-based artificial turf specialist Hi-techturf and North Wales building supplies outlet Thorncliffe came in.

The two businesses have joined forces to provide a new lease of life for Harley and his family.

“The mere feel of blades of grass on the front lawn makes Harley physically sick,” says Christina, of Cadnant Drive, Bagillt.

“He also uses a power wheelchair and that struggles on grass if it is wet or long. It made it a real headache because Harley is a very lively four-year-old despite his disability.”

Hi-techturf came to the rescue by laying a new artificial lawned area for the home Christina shares with her partner Jonathon Noble, who works at the Toyota factory on Deeside.

Thorncliffe played its part by providing the wooden batons and sand base needed for the artificial turf matting, which looks just like the real thing, but does not make Harley ill.

Beauty therapist Christina says not having to worry about Harley’s aversion to grass is making a world of difference.

She describes her son, a pupil at Cornist Primary School in Flint, as a really bright and determined boy.

“I think it’s important that he goes to a mainstream school,” she said. “He loves every minute. He even has a computer he can talk through while he’s there.”