A teenager with dwarfism has slammed ignorant people for talking to him in a “toddler-y voice” like he is a pet.

Liam Smyth, 14, from Nottingham, was born with primordial dwarfism — one of the rarest types of dwarfism in the world — and said that he finds it frustrating having to wear children’s clothes and having to deal with people staring.

With a height of less than 4ft tall, Liam said that usually people think he is aged “four or five”.

Discussing life with dwarfism for BBC Inside Out East Midlands, Liam said: ”It's annoying when people stare.

"Usually, people think I'm four or five."

He added: “My mates can wear whatever they want.

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“I don’t know any teenager that wants to wear kids’ clothes.”

Liam said it is not strange for strangers to patronise him because of his height.

“They talk to you in this, kind of like, toddler-y voice.

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“Have you ever seen a person when they’re talking to their pet or something like that?

“They put on a voice. That’s what it’s like.”

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Liam joined people with dwarfism from across the country at a convention organised by Little People UK – a charity co-founded by actor Warwick Davis.

Davis, who starred in the Harry Potter films, said: “We do have a lot of members that come here that do feel very isolated and don't go out.

"When they come here it's a safe environment."

Liam's story is being told on BBC Inside Out East Midlands at 7.30pm today on BBC One or the BBC iPlayer.

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