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The parents of a one year-old baby who suffers from a rare form of epilepsy are hoping a controversial new treatment using CANNABIS will help him.

Little 10-month-old Oliver Osborn has migrating partial epilepsy which can leave children suffering up to 100 seizures a day.

Victims rarely live beyond the age of seven but a new treatment from America using cannabis in liquid form, with 'high' ingredient removed, is offering a last-ditch hope.

It has drastically reduced the amount of seizures in children - by up to 90% in some cases - and Oliver's parents say it could be the cure they need.

The alternative treatment is not yet available in the UK but Oliver's parents Rik Osborn and Danielle Coils, 28, are hoping fundraising efforts will help bring it here.

Rik, 29, said: "Hopefully it could be a step forward.

"I've read about a little girl out there, similar to Oliver, who it has been used on.

"It is a strange route to take, but at the end of the day, when you're up against the wall, when surgery is not an option, it's got to be something to consider."

The treatment, named Charlotte's Web after a little girl it helped treat in the States, sees a drop of liquid put under the affected person's tongue in order to reduce seizures.

Rik, of Peterlee, Co Durham, added: "People say that 'if it's not legalised why would you give it to children?'

"But when other medication isn't working, it's something we've got to go for.

"At the end of the day you want what's best for your child and for them to be with you for as long as possible.

"Little things like that give you hope."

To help raise money for the alternative treatment, Rik is taking part in a three day 140-mile Coast 2 Coast bike ride with family and friends hoping it will help research to take off.

They hope to raise money for Epilepsy Action charity when the ride starts on June 6th.

To sponsor the group visit www.justgiving.com/Oliver-osborn