THE grandfather of brave Bradley Lowery has paid tribute to the youngster by immortalising him in two strikingly realistic tattoos on his arms.

Howard Stonebank made the indelible gesture in the wake of the death of the six-year-old in July, following his long battle with the childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

The young Sunderland AFC fan touched the hearts of the football world when he made several appearances as mascot for the Black Cats, Everton and England. His story transcended football rivalries.

One of the pictures tattooed onto Newcastle United fan Howard's arm depicts the youngster in a Sunderland shirt.

The other image is of Bradley in an England strip on the day he led out the national team with his hero and "best friend" Jermain Defoe.

A post published by Bradley's mother Gemma on the Facebook page 'Bradley Lowery's fight against neuroblastoma', said: "How amazing are my dad's tribute tattoos to our brave boy.

"I would also like to point out my dad is a Newcastle supporter. #cancerhasnocolours"

Bradley’s plight was beamed across the world when he was a mascot for Sunderland in a Premier League game against Everton – after which the Toffees donated £200,000 to his appeal.

It was the start of a special relationship between the family and Everton, and he was subsequently invited to the Liverpool-based club's Goodison Park to be mascot for a Premier League game against Manchester City.

Bradley's also struck up a close relationship with Jermain Defoe. After his death, Jermain paid tribute to his 'best friend', who had been his mascot on his return to the England team for a match against Lithuania at Wembley in March.

In September, Bradley’s mother was joined by Sunderland AFC players, who helped launch the Bradley Lowery Foundation.

The foundation aims to help any children under the age of 18, providing them with support in their fundraising efforts for any medical treatment not available on the NHS or equipment they cannot get government funding for.

One of the people the foundation is already helping eight-year-old Joshua Denton of Middleton-in-Teesdale, who was left struggling to walk and talk after a seizure when he was a toddler.

Josh spent time with the Bradley Lowery Foundation in the SAFC box enjoying the match against Bolton with his family and friends a fortnight ago.

The foundation is supporting Josh's family in their fundraising in order to get a permanent specialist made bed and also a sensory room.