FUTURE superhero Andrew Traynor is one step closer to getting his own ‘Iron Man hand’ thanks to Beamont Collegiate Academy.

The five-year-old Marvel comics fan was born with a congenital difference which means his right arm and hand are smaller than most people’s.

Mum Siobhan said the problem was spotted when she had her 20 week scan before Andrew was born: “He has a thumb and little finger but they are reduced in size. There is nothing else wrong.

“He’s certainly a normal little boy, he’s interested in everything and likes climbing things. It’s just day-to-day things that can be difficult, like fastening buttons or zips, holding bottles and unscrewing lids.

“Because he’s right-handed he can’t hold a pen so we have to teach him to be left-handed. He tries his best but now at school it’s more difficult.”

Siobhan and Andrew’s dad, Carl, spotted an article in the Warrington Guardian about the new digital technology Fab Lab at Beamont Collegiate Academy and immediately got in touch about the possibility of creating a prosthetic for Andrew.

The family, from Penketh, had been struggling to find an organisation with a 3D printer which would attempt to design and print a hand and waiting lists with charities were long.

But staff and students at Beamont were eager to help and, with a little assistance from teachers Chris Hillidge and Bronwyn Jones, the bionic hand was printed in a matter of hours.

The St Vincent’s pupil tried it on for the first time at the high school and Siobhan said: “It brought a tear to my eye to see him enjoy using it. He tried to hold my hand. He was really excited to see what he could do.

“Now he has proudly shown all his friends and they think it’s amazing. Beamont have decided to make the next one look like an Iron Man hand because Andrew’s a big Marvel fan.”

Dad Carl added: “Over the past year Andrew has been asking when will his hand grow so this 3D arm should give him something positive to look forward to.

"The charity Reach help children with upper limb differences and have also given us loads of help and support. It's brilliant meeting other families and sharing experiences.

"It's great for Andrew and he loves the fact that he is not the only one who has, in his words, a 'lucky fin' like Nemo."

The school has now been contacted by families from all over the world would like help and Chris Hillidge said: “The pupils have been working on the prosthetic and coming up with ideas to improve it. We want to show that our students can design something that improves the quality of peoples’ lives.”