JOHN Millar has defied the doctors and survived into his 20s -- despite being the only person in the world suffering from a previously unheard of condition.

The 23-year-old needs 24-hour care from his mum Susan, of Sefton Street, Brierfield, and his condition will never improve.

Experts have been left baffled and can find no other person in the world with the same symptoms -- the skin of an old man, dislocated hips, the mental age of a three-year-old and a facial disformity.

That means if another child is born anywhere in the world with the same plight then they will be known as having the 'John Millar Syndrome' and John's name will go down in history.

Geneticists have researched the condition across the world and have already written papers about John.

His stepdad Garry Millar, 45, said: "He's unique -- the only one in the world with this condition."

"Susan was told he would not live after 15.

"She lives every day as a bonus, but it's very difficult."

It took two years of tests from when John was just nine months old before doctors declared that his was an unknown condition, different from more commonly known conditions such as Down's Syndrome or autism.

The family were left frustrated that they could not find information on John's condition and feared he would die before his teens, while they had no idea how simple things such as giving him everyday food could affect him.

"Initially I thought the doctors did not know what they were talking about," said Susan, 46. "But then I wanted to know the name of the condition and I was trying to push for that so I could read up on it.

"Perhaps I was not helping him by giving him certain foods, and it was for his benefit I wanted to read up on it.

"He's only 23 but his skin is like a 90-year-old man's His body is ageing faster than it should."

But John has defied expectations and even goes to Burnley College, where he does a lifelong learning course.

Susan added: "He will never get a diploma, but gets certificates to say he has successfully done something, like made a sandwich and can do some things unaided.

"He does understand. He can tell you what's on TV and who is in the charts, but not things like what day of the week it is. His music ability is brilliant."

"But I would not change him for the world. He's unique."