A WEE COUNTY youngster had his dreams come true after he was treated to a day with a Grand National winning horse last week.

Horse-racing fan Max Taylor, who avidly watches the races with his grandfather, was taken to a stables in Kinross during a stay at Rachel House Children's Hospice.

The 11-year-old then unexpectedly came face to face with One For Arthur, the horse which won the 2017 Grand National.

Not only that, but the riders at the stables put on a display for Max and Martins Sokolovic, a six-year-old from Forfar who was also on the trip to Arlary Stables, which is run by premier trainer Lucinda Russell and Peter Scudamore MBE.

The boys, and staff from Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS), were all treated like VIPs during the excursion.

Lucinda said: "We were delighted to welcome Max, Martins and their carers to the yard, being local to Rachel House we appreciate the wonderful support they give to their children and families.

"Everyone here at Lucinda Russell Racing is privileged to work with our racehorses and the empathy that the horses show towards all children is incredible.

"We were touched by the joy that they brought to Max and are pleased to have been a very small part of the fabulous work that CHAS do."

Mary Paterson, senior staff nurse at Rachel House, added: "Max watches horseracing with his grandfather so we were looking for a safe way that he could meet a horse for himself.

"How lovely it was for Lucinda and Peter to host us at Arlary for a morning and give the boys an up close encounter with their fabulous stable of horses.

"Experiences like these can mean the world to children so we're very grateful that they were so inviting.

"It was an unexpected bonus that we were able to meet a Grand National Winner, One For Arthur."

In Scotland, nearly 16,000 children and young people live with life-shortening conditions and CHAS is determined to reach every family who needs its services.

CHAS works across Scotland, able to provides its hospice services nation-wide for babies, children and young people with life-shortening conditions. CHAS offers palliative, respite and end-of-life care from Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch.

The CHAS at Home service supports families with the services of a hospice yet in their own homes across the whole of Scotland.

Through its Diana Children's Nurses working in hospitals across the country they can support families and clinical teams.