A karate instructor and a local celebrity have joined forces to help a young man in Thackley suffering from bone cancer.

They are hoping to raise enough money to send Stephen Ferry, 20, and his family on holiday as he battles with the disease.

Anthony Cheetham-Hudson, who was Stephen's karate tutor at the Shotokan Tigers karate club in Thackley, has known Stephen since he was a youngster and coached him for a couple of years.

Mr Cheetham-Hudson said: "It is terrible what has happened and I just wanted to do something to show our concern."

When Mr Cheetham-Hudson's wife Carol heard that Stephen was ill, she immediately went out and bought him a £300 PlayStation.

Stephen was diagnosed as suffering from bone cancer at the age of 15 and is now undergoing treatment at St James' Hospital. He has been left paralysed from the waist down.

Mr Cheetham-Hudson organised a sponsored sit-up night a few weeks ago. "We were overwhelmed by the response and managed to raise nearly £500," he said.

"This inspired us to plan something else.

"We had wanted to get something for Stephen that would enable him to enjoy his life.

"We asked him and he said the one thing he wanted to do was go on holiday to his favourite place, Northumberland, and so we thought why not have a fundraising drive?"

Mr Cheetham-Hudson was joined in his efforts by local celebrity Alvin Blossom, also from Thackley, who has appeared in television programmes including Heartbeat, Where the Heart Is and Emmerdale.

Mr Blossom said: "I was contacted by Anthony and I advertised the karate sponsorship. Now we are trying to organise a really big benefit night."

The dedicated duo have already secured an assortment of prizes including an hour's ride on a light aircraft for two people.

The event takes place on August 11 at Thackley Football Club, Ainsbury Avenue, Thackley.

If anyone would like to donate a prize or to obtain tickets for the event please call Anthony Cheetham-Hudson on (07887) 987 016.