A PARKINSON’S Disease sufferer has returned home to York after pioneering stem cell treatment in Kiev – and he already appears to be feeling the benefits.

James DeLittle, 49, of Broadway West in Fulford, is enjoying improved balance, which reduces the risks of falling over, said his mother Rosemary.

But she said the clinic that provided the two-day treatment had said it could be up to five months before the full effects were known.

The Press reported earlier this month that James’ condition had worsened significantly in recent months, affecting his balance and causing him to fall several times, suffering injuries including a broken nose, ribs and thumb joint.

He decided to travel to a clinic in the Ukrainian capital Kiev for foetal stem cells to be injected into him in a bid to tackle the illness.

The clinic told him it had treated more than 100 patients with Parkinson’s in recent years, with improvements reported in 75 per cent of cases, including reduction of tremor and rigidity, and cognitive and gait improvements.

The former St Peter’s School pupil said he believed he was the first person from the UK to go to the clinic, but it was costing £7,000 to pay for the treatment, travel and accommodation.

After the article appeared, his family received donations from well-wishers who wanted to help with the costs.

Rosemary said yesterday that the trip went well and James and his brother Simon, who accompanied him to the clinic, was very impressed with its standards.

“He said it was brilliant,” she said. “It was pristine and they carried out a thorough series of tests.

They put a drip on James’ arm on the first day and then gave him a total of eight injections into the abdomen on the second.

“James got back on Thursday night and said today that his balance is better.

“He is not leaning to the left, which he was doing before, which led to him falling over.”