Brave youngster Jack Gales has suffered a major setback in his fight against leukaemia.

A month after he finished his latest course of chemotherapy, the seven-year-old's parents Kate and Peter have been told his cancer has returned.

The news has come as a big blow to the family who have moved from Utley, near Keighley, to Burley-in-Wharfedale in an attempt to make a fresh start.

And doctors at St James Hospital in Leeds are now desperately searching for a bone marrow match.

Kate said: "We moved in January and were looking forward to a new start, but a couple of days after we moved in, one of the consultants rang us to say the cancer had come back.

"Last week Jack was seriously ill with pneumonia but he's been slightly better this week and has been at home for a couple of hours. As far as Jack is concerned, nothing has changed. They have given him a slightly less toxic treatment than before and he could stay on that medicine for two to three years, but a bone marrow donor is still his most realistic way of fighting this.

"Jack's consultant Sally Kinsey is looking all over the world for a donor. She has not given up hope and neither have we." Kate said the doctors in Leeds are now looking for a less perfect match than previously. There are eight parts in the DNA they have to match and we didn't come close, so they are looking for people whose DNA will meet seven of the eight."

Jack, who attends East Morton Primary School, was diagnosed with leukaemia in August 1995, and has since had numerous chemotherapy courses.

With the support of Keighley Cougars and the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust, the family staged bone marrow clinics at Cougar Park in November and December 1998 in the hope of finding a match.

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