THE father of a Gwent boy battling leukaemia is asking for potential blood donors to come forward to help his son.

Thomas Steer, nine, from Alway, Newport, has been treated for the life-threatening condition since 2001, and it was thought that he had beaten the disease after a course of treatment.

But now the youngster is back in hospital at Llandough, near Penarth, after the leukaemia returned.

His best hope of beating the disease is a bone marrow transplant. Thomas' father, Jeff, 47, and mother, Karen, 36, have been tested to see if they are a match and they are anxiously awaiting the results, which will take a few weeks.

But they are now also appealing for blood donors to come forward and tell blood service staff they wish to be put on the Thomas Steer register - in order to maximise Thomas' chances of a match and of recovery.

Newport Transport driver Mr Steer said: "We are both wishing for him to get well. I feel strongly about people giving blood and would urge anyone interested in giving blood to give a blood sample at the next donor session in their area.

"People who are existing blood donors can tell them they want to help, and they can be tested as possible matches which will then be sent away and put on a list."