A TERRIFIED mum has thanked staff for saving her son's life and getting him back home in time for the football.

Layton Gill, 12, had been unwell for a couple of weeks when his mum became so worried she took him to hospital.

After the first visit, he was sent home with a viral infection however he continued to get worse.

His mum Lynette Foster, 32 said: “It was really scary. He had a temperature of more the 40 and was not eating.

“When we were in the hospital in Carlisle they did lots of test and told us they would be sending him by blue light to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

“I was so scared. I didn’t know what was happening. I was just thinking is this it? Will he walk again? Will he be able to talk?”

The youngster's forehead had started to swell and he needed emergency brain surgery. His mum was beside herself with worry.

Layton was diagnosed with a Pott’s puffy tumour which is a rare clinical entity characterised by subperiosteal absces. This was a result of sinusitis.

Although it can affect all ages, it is mostly found among teenagers and adolescents. The infection had continued to get worse meaning Layton needed more than three hours of surgery.

Layton, along with his family, spent almost two weeks in hospital while he started his recovery and together they got behind the England team following the journey through the Euro’s.

Lynette said: “I didn’t know anything about football but we all watched together and he taught me about it. Our goal was to get home and continue watching it.

“It was amazing. We made it home for the semi-final and he was thrilled to be able to watch it.

“The staff at the hospital were amazing and let us watch it. They couldn’t do enough for us.

“It’s now going to be a long road to recovery and there is no way he will be able to go back to school until September.

“He is on a lot of medication but I’m just pleased he is back home with his brothers and sister.”