The boy who could be killed by sunshine

Bailey Beeson cannot wait for winter to come - because hot days could kill him.

The four-year-old has ectodermal dysplasia, causing him to be born without sweat glands which would control his body temperature. He will also need dentures until he is old enough for tooth implants at 17.

The rare genetic condition affects boys more seriously than girls - Bailey's twin sister Tayla has a milder form and is missing some teeth.

Bailey's condition was identified when he failed to develop baby teeth by the age of two. The twins' mother Tracy wants to raise awareness about the condition for the Jeans For Genes charity.

She said Bailey, who started school last week, is still "a normal little boy" but explained: "If he gets ill his temperature goes up to 40C. He goes very, very red and he needs Calpol. That's the critical stage -it's a matter of life and death."

The family have installed air conditioning at home in Rainham, while Bailey sleeps with a chilled pillow. Mrs Beeson added: "We've never taken him abroad on holiday because of the heat, but his favourite thing is snow. Last winter he played out in it for hours. I have never seen him so happy."

She and her husband Trevor, a lorry driver, want people to wear jeans to work or school on October 7, in return for making a donation to Jeans for Genes.

To donate, log on to jeansforgenesday.com