A PETITION has been launched calling on city leaders to honour cancer battler Bradley Lowery by naming a new bridge after him.

Sarah Wilkinson has urged Sunderland City Council to name the New Wear Crossing the Bradley Lowery Bridge after the Blackhall five-year-old, who has captured the hearts of the nation.

In her petition on the city council’s website, the 43-year-old law and criminology student, said: “Bradley Lowery as many of you know suffers from a very rare form of cancer.

“He has done one thing that nobody else has ever done he’s not only united both the north and south of Sunderland but the whole of this country as one.

“It would give us all the greatest of pleasure to see the bridge at Pallion that is being built that will also unite the north and south of Sunderland called The Bradley Lowery Bridge.

“There is only one man who has the honour of opening said bridge with Bradley and that is the footballer Jermain Defoe who proudly plays for Sunderland.

“He has taken Bradley under his wing and the bond between the two is just magic to see.”

City council leader Cllr Paul Watson said: “A further round of consultation on bridge naming is being prepared and all petitions presented to the council are given due consideration.”

Meanwhile, Bradley and his family visited Flamingo Land, North Yorkshire, for a short break over the Easter holidays. While they were there Bradley enjoyed animal encounters with lemurs and meerkats.

The youngster is said to be looking forward to his sixth birthday party, where his best friend Defoe will be guest of honour.

Bradley’s mum, Gemma said, although the date and place of the party are being kept under wraps, it is expected to be a big affair. She said: “Bradley definitely classes Jermain as one of his best friends and he will be absolutely thrilled if he is there at the party.”

The bond between the striker and Bradley, who was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma in 2013, began when the youngster appeared as a mascot for the Black Cats last September. Last week Gemma revealed Bradley was set for a trip to Disneyland Florida.