WATCHET mum Natalie Howells is on tenterhooks today (Friday) as she waits to see if her toddler Bradley (pictured) can have an operation to make him to smile.

She hasn't seen her 18-month old's grin since he was born, and this morning she sees her GP to find out what he can do to help.

Speaking at their home at Quantock Drive, Bradley's granddad said: "We are in a state of limbo. It's a very stressful time for all of us."

Today's appointment with the doctor comes after the sudden and unexpected cancellation of an operation that could have restored his smile.

Bradley was born with a genetic condition called ptosis, leaving him virtually blind in one eye and with a drooping right eyelid obscuring the other.

An operation at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London in December had to be cancelled because Bradley had a cold.

And last week, Natalie, who lives with parents Craig and Linda, had a letter saying the hospital won't now do the operation.

Natalie said: "This has been going on since Bradley was three days old when we took him to Musgrove Park Hospital.

"We were told he was lazy and that one day he would wake up and his eyes would be open.

"Now they have told me Bradley can't have the operation, without telling me why."