A schoolboy who has ‘never eaten a chip’ is raising funds for hypnotherapy. 

Eleven-year-old Josh Groves from Dorchester is crowdfunding for hypnotherapy to tackle a mental eating disorder. 

On his Just Giving page Josh said: “To look at me I appear to be healthy and happy, however, underneath, all is not as it seems. 

“I have a rare mental eating disorder, which I really want to overcome. I am unable to eat normal food like everyone else. Something in my head is stopping me from doing this.”

Since he was a baby, Josh’s diet has consisted of jarred seven-month-old baby food, custard and digestive biscuits.

Josh’s mum, Lorraine Groves said despite repeatedly trying to overcome his disorder, Josh is till unable eat normally and he doesn’t know why. 

“It’s really affected his life. We rarely go out for family meals as he hates eating in public. 

"Lunch times at school are really challenging and he misses out on friend’s birthday parties. It’s starting to affect him more,” she said. 

Josh has been seen by paediatricians, child mental health services and a dietitian, all with no success. 

“There’s no service on the NHS that can help him. We've tried bribery, we've tried rewards, we've seen so many people.” Lorraine said. 

In a last resort to battle the condition, two years ago, Josh’s teacher recommended a hypnotherapist she believed could help.

Until this year he was deemed too young for the alternative therapy but has now seen the hypnotherapist for an initial consultation.

Lorraine said: "Coming out he was incredibly positive and determined to overcome this." 

Now, in a final bid to overcome his disorder, Josh is trying to raise £500 to help pay for the hypnotherapy course. 

He will be completing a sponsored ten mile walk and hosting a coffee and cake morning at Dewlish Village Hall on October 21 to boost his fundraising efforts. 

"My goal is to try and overcome this, so that I can sit down with my family at Christmas and eat my first ever Christmas dinner," Josh said. 

If you's like to donate to Josh visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/josh-groves.