WHEN eight-year-old Declan Wright is happy only his mum can tell.

For Declan suffers from frozen face syndrome, an illness so rare there are fewer than 200 known sufferers in the world.

"I can tell by his eyes that he's smiling," says single mum Joanne Wright, 27, of Cranbrook Avenue, Bispham.

Declan suffers from Moebius Syndrome, which affects the cranial nerves in his brain and paralysis this prevents him from smiling.

"He can laugh, however," says his mum, adding: "He's got a terrific sense of humour and an infectious, laugh. Once he starts, he can't stop!"

His illness means that bright and bubbly Declan also suffers from club feet, congenital heart disease and respiratory problems.

A pupil at Claremont Primary School, Declan doesn't let his illness get him down.

"He plays soccer, does well at school and has loads of friends. He's very popular and would talk 24 hours a day if I let him."

Declan is one two Blackpool youngsters eagerly looking forward to the holiday of a lifetime in Florida, this month.

"He can't wait to go even though he has to go into hospital for an operation on his left foot as soon as he comes back."

He and Darren Radcliffe, 11, of Princess Street, Blackpool, are set to take off with 200 special children across the UK on a once in a lifetime trip to Florida visiting most of the major theme parks.

Darren, a pupil at St Mary's School, suffers from diabetes and needs to inject himself twice a day with insulin.

His grandmother, Norma Clifford, said: "Darren's suffered from diabetes since he was three. He's thrilled to bits about the holiday and can't wait."

The children on the 10-day trip, organised annually by Dreamflight, are given VIP treatment all the way.

Show business celebrities, including patron Sir Cliff Richard, will give the party a send off to remember with the band of the Welsh Guards leading a specially-chartered Jumbo jet from its hangar on to the runway and a police escort to take the party from the plane to their hotel in Florida.