DISABLED youngster Sam Steele appeared on national television to take part in a debate on whether young children can use wheelchairs.

Sam, five, of Kingsway, Chalfont St Peter, who has a muscle tone problem, appeared on ITV's That's Esther to talk to Esther Rantzen about his new wheelchair.

Sam was unable to get a wheelchair from the National Health Service and they referred him to Whizz Kidz, which provides customised mobility equipment to disabled children.

Sarah Steele, his mother, said he was very excited to be on TV, and that it had changed his life since getting his wheelchair two months ago.

She said: "On the Esther programme they were saying that the kids are not able to use wheelchairs but it is not always the case. My son can. It all depends on their ability."

She added: "It is amazing how much difference having one makes. He didn't really like the garden before but now he can zoom around."

A spokesman for South Bucks NHS Trust said: "The wheelchair service in South Bucks NHS Trust prioritizes children ahead of adults with an equivalent need, because the needs of a child are continually changing.

"In recent months, our service has had staff shortage and recruitment difficulties. This has meant that the service has only been able to respond to emergency referrals and is why children like Sam Steele have not yet been assessed by our service."