'Horrific condition means I have to be near a toilet constantly - I have no life'

A young man who was born with a condition so horrendous he can use the toilet up to 20 times a day has spoken of his nightmare.

Alex Moss was born with anorectal imperforation, a rare disorder which affects just one in 3,000 babies in the UK. The birth defect occurs when a baby is born without a normal anal opening.

At just 17 hours old, Alex underwent life-saving surgery to create an artificial opening. While the procedure was successful, a lack of sensation in the area means he is prone to accidents and must be near a toilet at all times.

READ MORE: 'I was treated differently when I went to a business without my dad - let this be a warning'

To help control his bowel movements, the 25-year-old, from the Prestbury area of Cheshire, had Antegrade Continence Enema surgery at the age of 12.

The ACE procedure sees doctors create a small opening, usually in the belly, that connects to the colon.

Through this opening, the person can insert a special liquid (an enema) to flush out their bowels and avoid accidents. It helps them stay regular and have better control over when they go to the bathroom.

Over time, the passage gradually narrows and can eventually close completely. When Alex was 17, he underwent the procedure again, but it closed up once more.

Alex is hoping to undergo another procedure, but due to delays, he’s been on the waiting list for many years.

The young man is now forced to endure life with the terrible condition – one that has dashed his hopes and dreams for the future.

“I’m always told the surgery will be next year,” he said. “And that next year things will be different, but nothing has ever changed.

“I’ve lost 10 years of my life which should have been the best 10 years. I wanted to go to