Independent mother Alison Lapper is appealing to the older generation to help her with her son Parys after being let down by a string of young au pairs.

Alison, 36, who was born without any arms and with partially formed legs and feet, is fiercely independent and determined not to let her disability interfere with anything she does in life, including motherhood.

Art graduate Alison, of Shoreham Beach, gave birth to her son Parys on January 6, 2000 at Worthing Hospital.

Although she is no different to any other mother when it comes to parenting her son, she does need people to supply the hands she does not have and which are needed at times to deal with an active 22-month-old boy.

In September, Alison's Slovakian au pair left because of his fear of being in the UK after the September 11 World Trade Centre attacks in the States.

He wanted to return home to his family and left without giving her the usual month's notice.

Now Alison has advertised in The Lady magazine for an au pair, but said many of the younger people who had contacted her had let her down at the last minute, for jobs offering more money or a different package to the one she was offering.

She is now relying on one part-time helper and a network of friends, who help with chores such as nappy changing or helping when Parys has the usual childhood illnesses.

She is desperately trying to employ someone who will live in and help her with Parys.

Alison, who earns a living creating Christmas cards for the Mouth and Foot Painting Association, receives no help from social services and supports herself financially, paying for the au pairs from her own income.

But she is desperate to find a reliable au pair who will have their own room with en suite bathroom in her home as well as a monthly income. There would not be any cleaning duties or clothes washing.

She said: "I'm not difficult to get on with and I want people to be happy here with me and Parys. I don't mind if they're male or female, but anyone who applies will have to undergo a police check.

"I would love to employ an older person, perhaps someone who hasn't got any grandchildren and would like one or perhaps someone who does have some and would like another one.

"They would have to be quite active as Parys is just like any other lively 22-month-old."

Alison has not ruled out anyone from the younger generation, but is rather despondent with the younger generation who have applied for the job and let her down at the last minute.

Anyone who may be interested in the job of mother's help should contact Alison on 07801 692266.