HAMPSHIRE schoolboy Jagger Curtis and other youngsters suffering from a cruel muscle-wasting disease look set to be denied a breakthrough drug.

Jagger has Duchene muscular dystrophy and desperately needs access to an expensive medication called Translarna, which could delay the progress of the condition.

But the drug is unlikely to be made available on the NHS.

Today the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) announced it would not be recommending funding for Translarna, even though the drug could keep sufferers walking for longer.

However, NICE said it would ask for further evidence relating to the drug’s cost before taking a final decision.

The potential set-back will come as a bitter blow to Jagger’s parents, Jules Geary and James Curtis, of Romsey.

As reported, they have won the backing of Romsey MP Caroline Nokes and even took their campaign to the steps of 10 Downing Street.

In a letter delivered to the prime minister David Cameron, Jagger wrote: “I want to play football forever like my friends. Please can you help me.”

Despite today’s announcement campaigners have vowed to fight on.

Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK said: “What sort of an example are these people setting for society if they are prioritising cost over the health of our children?

“This really is a race against time. If we’re not careful, it will be too late.”