A 24-hour snookerthon is being held this week to raise money for a robot which could help a little boy with autism speak.

Five-year-old Logan Franco-Franklin has never uttered a word, cuddled his baby brother or joined in a game of football in the playground.

But his life could be transformed thanks to the specialist intelligent robot, which is designed to help children with autism interact with the outside world.

Logan’s parents, Jess and Malcolm, of Swindon, are fundraising to buy the £5,900 robot and have so far raised nearly £2,000, and received a £2,100 donation from the James Dyson Foundation.

Despite a VAT exemption, which should bring down the robot’s price to £4,900, they are still £800 short.

Malcolm will attempt to secure the remaining sum at the 24-hour Snookerthon at Jesters Snooker Hall in Greenbridge between 9pm on August 29 and 9pm on August 30.

To take part in the Snookerthon or donate go to www.arobotforloganfund.com, the A Robot For Logan Fund page on Facebook or email francofranklin1972@googlemail.com.