Ten-year-old Alex Bird is fighting a battle with cancer - but still playing the football he loves.

Alex was diagnosed with a form of leukaemia and a cancerous tumour in his ear a year ago and was given steroid treatment. He has just started three years of intensive chemotherapy.

Described by his parents Paul and Lindsey before his illness as a 'whirlwind of energy and life',  Alex now has days when he is in a wheelchair and can hardly move because of the debilitating treatment.

But undeterred the former goalie for Athersley Recreation FC Under 12s,  is now doing stints as a striker for his football team, even if only for a few minutes each match, and joins in with short training sessions whenever he can manage it.

Paul and Lindsey, of Ladymead, Monk Bretton, follow a rigorous routine with Alex involving three different types of chemotherapy, steroids and regular visits to Sheffield Children's Hospital.

Paul, who works at Ardagh Glass, said: "The steroids in particular make him really tired and weak, but when he goes to football it brings a smile to his face.

"He plays or practises for as long as he physically can stand and then gets back into his wheelchair, but psychologically the football is doing him a great deal of good."

"We are so proud of how Alex is dealing with his battle against this illness. It is very hard for him at times, but he keeps battling on and doing his best to be cheerful - he is a complete inspiration."