YOUNG Harry Crowther has cleared the first hurdle on the way to his Olympic dream.

The Mirfield 12-year-old – who suffers from an extremely rare bone condition – has moved closer to having the honour of taking the Olympic Torch through his home town.

In May, Harry applied to be one of the 8,000 inspirational people to carry the flame across the country in the run-up to the 2012 London Games.

Organisers have emailed the youngster to tell him he is through to the next round.

Mum Sharron said yesterday: “It’s brilliant news, we’re really proud of them.

“Harry’s absolutely thrilled, he’s really excited to have made it through.”

The youngster suffers from a genetic form of Atypical Progeria Syndrome which makes his body age five times faster than normal.

Harry has arthritis in his fingers, toes, knees, elbows and wrists and has to take strong painkillers four times a day.

Three months ago the Castle Hall School pupil applied to be part of the Olympic Torch relay, which will take place between May and July.

Sharron said: “Clr Martyn Bolt approached me to see if Harry would be interested in being nominated.

“Then we met his headteacher Andy Pugh and we sat down and worked out what to put on his nomination form.”

Harry’s campaign got a big boost in June when Mirfield-born actor Sir Patrick Stewart backed his bid to carry the torch.

And now has come the news that Harry is through to the next round – but there’s still a long way to go.