MUM Carole Brimble is today celebrating having her son home after nine months of hospital treatment for critical brain injuries.

Six-year-old Max Brimble has battled back to health after suffering two heart attacks and extensive surgery after being kicked in the head by a horse.

And Carole says that if the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance had not reached him so quickly Max would have died.

But today he is coming home from Southampton General Hospital's neurological unit and getting ready to go back to school.

Mother-of-five Carole, who lives in Batcombe, near Dorchester, said: "I am so thrilled that Max has finally come home - I really couldn't wait.

"We've had months of being with him in hospital, just coming home some weekends and I am over the moon - we are going to Butlin's tomorrow for a week to celebrate.

"We were going to go to Disneyland, but we couldn't with Max as he is at the moment.

"Max is having trouble understanding all this - Southampton has become home to him and he can't imagine living here.

"He will have to go to the Westfield Technology College in Weymouth, starting with just afternoons for the moment, and we'll see how he gets on."

Max was able to read and write before the incident, which happened as he was out walking in the fields near his home. But the horrific injuries he received have sent him back to the level of a four-year-old and doctors do not yet know if he can make a full recovery.

Carole added: "He needs a lot more care than he did but it could have been so much worse.

"People have been praying for him and looking after my youngest children - they have been so good.

"Now I just want everything to get back to normal."

Carole and her family are trying to raise cash for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, which airlifted Max to Dorset County Hospital after the accident. Although they have been tied up with hospital visits, they made a start with a sponsored skip, organised by the Hermitage and Hillfield Young Farmers, which raised £300. Next year they hope to organise some more events, but for now the family is concentrating on Max.

To donate cash for the air ambulance, phone (01823) 351114.