A boy who was born with no ears is having a pair specially created from his own ribs.
Kieran Sorkin, eight, from Bushey, Hertfordshire, was born deaf with just small lobes where his ears should have been – a condition called microtia which affects just one in 100,000 people.
Thanks to several operations and a hearing aid, he has gradually been able to hear.
But now, using cartilage from his ribs, specialist surgeons from Great Ormond Street Hospital will build the ears and graft them to his head.
Lead clinician for plastic surgery Neil Bulstrode, said: "From the cartilage I will carve a framework in the shape of an ear for both sides.
"Then I will place that framework in pockets under the skin, which is sucked down with a vacuum so that the skin conforms to the contours of the ear framework."
Kieran's mum Louise said: "He wants to look like everyone else and not be asked questions.
"He is a really special little guy and he works really hard. He is always trying to make friends but he has found children always asking questions about it."
Kieran's older sister Mia, 10, (pictured above with Kieran) cut off her waste-length hair to raise £1,100 for the Jewish Deaf Association, which has offered its support to the Sorkin family, as well as Chai Cancer Care.
Sue Cipin, executive director of the Jewish Deaf Association, said: "We are delighted to have been able to support the Sorkin family over the years and the girls' kindness and generosity means that we will be able to continue helping other families give the best possible start in life to their deaf children."