A Bradford policeman has won Prime Minister Tony Blair's personal promise for help in saving his sick daughter.

PC Dean Maddocks met Mr Blair yesterday and said it was a "huge breakthrough", giving new hope to eight-year-old Alice who suffers from a life-threatening blood disease.

The youngster's only chance of a cure is a bone marrow transplant but the search for a donor has so far been fruitless. Mr Blair's pledge, to provide government funding for a national bone marrow donor register, is a huge boost for thousands of other sufferers across the country.

The Bradford South officer and his wife Carol have campaigned to raise the profile of the Bone Marrow Register - and boost the number of potential donors.

They have argued that the register - which is run by the National Blood Service and part-funded through charity donations - is short of cash and not promoted well enough.

But after hearing his concerns, the PM insisted "money was no object" and he would personally ensure the service was improved. Mr Blair pledged to raise the number of donors from 15,000 to between 30,000 and 40,000 a year with cash from the Department of Health and the NHS.

PC Maddocks, 38, said: "It was a big day and we had done so much work. We sat down with him and he listened to us. He asked how Alice was, what she needed and what the problems were with the service.

"I think he realised this is a vital service which saves hundreds of lives each year. We thought money would be the sticking point but he said it was 'no object'".

Throughout the meeting, Mr Blair consulted advisers from the NHS and Blood Service who support the Maddocks' views.

"He appeared sincere - the meeting was very, very positive," said PC Maddocks.

"We now need to make sure all this actually happens. It will mean that many families will be given a far greater chance."

He added: "It also leaves us to worry about Alice and take the foot off the gas in terms of campaigning. It has given Alice more hope but we still need to find a donor for her."

Over the past year Alice has been in and out of hospital, undergoing blood transfusions and gruelling courses of treatment.

The couple came to Mr Blair's attention when they confronted him on BBC's Question Time programme.

Although no time frame was given for expansion of the register, Mr Blair said the couple will be kept up to date by the Department of Health. He has ordered progress reports in the coming weeks.

John Humphries, the director of the British Bone Marrow Donor Appeal, said: "The breakthrough today is Tony Blair saying the money is coming - it is the first real breakthrough in 16 years."

l To become a potential donor contact the National Blood Service on (08457) 771 771 or the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust on (0207) 284 1234. For more information visit the Maddocks' website at www.helpalice.org