An autistic boy whose Christmas gift of a state-of-the-art sensory shed was burned down by arsonists is now looking forward to playing in the den of his dreams after a generous benefactor came forward.

Parents Fiona and Wesley Ratcliff woke up on Christmas morning to find the shed they had kitted out as a sensory room for seven-year-old Harvey was raided and set alight by thugs.

After hearing the story, businessman Lawrence Jones, 45, put building work at Manchester city centre -based internet firm UKFast on hold and asked his crew to build Harvey 'the den to end all dens'.

Fiona, 34, of Culmere Road, Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe , said the generosity of Mr Jones and other M.E.N readers who have come forward to offer help and donations had helped put a smile back on the family's face.

She said: “It's so much more than we ever expected and it's just blown us away, it really has.

“All we were looking for when we agreed to tell our story was to hopefully try and catch the people who did this but the reaction of the whole community has just left us speechless.

“It's fantastic that Harvey will get the sensory room after all. We couldn't believe it when Lawrence offered to do it all for us and we can't thank him enough.”

The family have been inundated with offers of cash donations and other assistance since the incident occurred and are currently considering what to do with the offers.

Dad-of-three Lawrence, who lives in Denbigh, North Wales, said he 'just had to help' Harvey after reading about the story on the M.E.N website.

He said: “I saw a tweet linking to the story on Boxing Day and when I read it, I thought there's actually something I can do here to put a smile back on their faces.

“It's going to be the shed to end all sheds and we're also going to do the garden for them as well so it's easier for Harvey to get around.

“Having children myself the story really broke my heart and I think when there's something you can do to help someone then you should just get on with it. We're a country of givers and that's what makes Britain great.”

Police are investigating the incident, in which a digital radio and lighting were stolen before the blaze was started.