Lewis Walker had to have a tube inserted directly into his stomach as he could not keep food down.

But the six-year-old can now swallow food – and is eating so much that next month doctors will remove his tube.

Lewis has gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition common in babies which causes food and fluid to be regurgitated. Most children outgrow the condition but a small number, like Lewis, are stuck with it.

The signs are, though, that the youngster is getting better.

Proud mum Janet, 42, said: 'He has never been able to eat. He would just bring it up again.

'He's been nibbling away at food for about three years. But it really wasn't enough to feed a budgie.

'But then it took off at Easter. He started eating more and more. Now he's eating cereal and sandwiches.

'He loves cheese – that was the first thing he ate – and he likes peas and strawberry yoghurt.

'I feel overjoyed. We wondered if he would ever be able to eat because some children with this problem never eat.'

Mrs Walker, of Woodside, Gosport, believes support from Lewis' school, Peel Common Infants, helped him on the road to recovery.

Lewis' father, Melvin, 38, is equally delighted. He said: 'I'm still walking on clouds. It's a fantastic milestone for him.

'We were hoping that he might eat by Christmas but never expected him to eat so soon.'

The former paramedic watched in amazement as Lewis' appetite increased. He said: 'I spoke to him about three months ago and he said he was too afraid of choking to eat.

'So I got a book out and showed all about the throat and how we all choke sometimes.

'It was a confidence thing and he's coming through that now.'