AGED just two, Elliott Byatt looks like any other toddler – cute, mischievous and energetic.

But underneath that little exterior the Thomas the Tank Engine fanatic is hiding a difficult past.

For the WGC youngster was born with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) – a condition featuring episodes of an abnormally fast heart rate.

At the start of his life Elliott was hospital-bound for a month and then spent most of his young life in and out of the QE2 Hospital receiving treatment for his condition.

To seek help and support mum Hannah Byatt, of Lords Wood, turned to charity Parley (Parents and Relatives Listening and Empathising with You).

The organisation provides information and support to parents who have a child who has a long or short term medical condition who has to undergo surgery or children with impairments or disabilities.

Solicitor Hannah, 29, said: “Elliott suffered a number of instances where his heart would begin to race to dangerous levels and the doctors would have to use injections to return his heart to normal.

“It was scary when he had an episode and Parley was an invaluable source of support to me as it put me in touch with other parents who had similar experiences and could understand my anxieties.”

Elliott has been discharged from hospital, but SVT could develop again at any time in his life.

And now Parley has come up trumps again – after Hannah and husband Andrew won a competition being run by the charity for a luxury holiday.

Along with three other families, they will be heading off to Pagel, a child-centred site near Catus in the south-west of France.

Hannah, who is 15 weeks pregnant with her second child, said: “I couldn’t believe I had won the Parley competition to go on holiday. I’m really looking forward to it.”

Parley founder Victoria Paine said: “Hannah is so deserving of this prize; she is a fantastic mum and we are very delighted and pleased for her.

“We hope she enjoys it.”