WEST Dorset TV star Martin Clunes has helped a family to buy life-changing head gear for their son.

Mr Clunes, who lives near Beaminster, regularly shows his support of good causes in Dorset through his support of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust and his patronage of Dorset children’s charity Julia’s House.

He has also raised money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance this year at Buckham Fair, an event organised by the actor and his wife Philippa.

Not content with all of that generousity, the star, who plays bad tempered Doc Martin in the hit ITV1 TV show, has now helped out his on-screen son too.

Six-month-old Alfie Cane plays Doc Martin’s newborn son James Henry in the popular show.

Alfie has a misshapen skull and a rare condition that leaves him unable to support his own head, which is already the size it should be for a child of four.

His parents were told that Alfie would need a special helmet to strengthen his muscles and help reshape his skull.

They were told the helmet would cost £2,000 to get privately made or they could have to wait up to a year for surgery to be carried out on the NHS.

When Mr Clunes heard about Alfie’s condition, he donated a box of valuable Doc Martin goodies which included a signed script, to Alfie’s parents Tilly and Adrian, from Truro in Cornwall, so that they could raffle them off or sell them to raise the cash.