A Bradford folkband is bringing out a Christmas single to help a teenager battling a rare form of bone cancer.

The Halstead Clan has penned the festive track to raise as much funds as possible to fulfill more dreams on a list drawn up by 15-year-old Connor Lancaster.

Connor, a pupil at Buttershaw Business and Enterprise College, was diagnosed with Ewings sarcoma in 2011 and although getting the all clear 12 months later was told earlier this year after a routine scan that the the cancer was back and was terminal.

The teenager, who fought off meningitis when he was just two-weeks-old but was left partially sighted, took off in a Gypsy Moth aircraft last year to achieve one of his lifetime ambitions.

David Zdanowicz, who works as a performing arts technician at Connor's school and is guitarist and producer with The Halstead Clan, said Connor is such a star for fighting his disease with such determination and a smile that he and the band wanted to help.

"Every penny we make from the single 'A Light Out Of The Dark' will go to Connor and we'll also be making a donation to Age UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care. Connor's such a brave guy," said Mr Zdanowicz, 30, from Low Moor.

"We chose the other charities because all of us have known someone touched by cancer and because winter is such a difficult time of year for many elderly. The single's about having loved ones around you at Christmas. We've not mentioned the word Christmas in it but it's got all the festive cliches like snow falling!

"We've had lots of interest from top folk radio stations so we're hoping it's going to get lots of play. " he added.

The single is officially being released through through dittomusic.com on December 2 and is being distributed to all major online retailers including amazon, itunes and googleplay - it will also be available in two weeks to pre-order on i-tunes.

Wibsey based artist Danny Abrahams, 34, designed the single's artwork and it was mastered ready for radio play and release in America by producer and engineer Ron Probst who did it for free after hearing it was for good causes.

The single was recorded in Mr Zdanowicz's spare room which doubles up as a studio and the band, formed two years ago, is now working on its debut album after two successful EPs and appearances at festivals.

"Things were on the back burner for a bit because our vocalist Louise Banks had twins and the lead singer Matthew Broadbent's wife had a baby too but we are busy recording again now," he said.

Other members of the band are songwriter and musician Nigel Broadbent, 55, and Danny Hensby on the drums.