DREAMS can come true, as cancer-stricken student Phil Watson has just discovered.

Since he was a boy, Phil, from Knaresborough, has dreamed of just one thing - becoming an RAF fighter pilot.

But five years ago, he received devastating news and was diagnosed with lymphoma. Three years of chemotherapy gave him a 12-month remission and he went to university to study outdoor education. But then he developed leukaemia and at the end of this month Phil, now 19, must undergo a bone marrow transplant at Cookridge hospital in Leeds.

As a badly-needed fillip, the Yorkshire charity Make a Dream made his childhood ambition come true - and took him, in a Rolls-Royce, to be a pilot for the day at RAF Lintonon- Ouse.

During his special day, Phil had a spin in the base's flight simulator before spending time with pilots as an honorary member of 207 Squadron.

His mum Margaret said: "When he was first diagnosed with lymphoma, Phil was given chemotherapy on a daily basis. This eventually reduced to once a week. Now he is on oral chemotherapy tablets.

"Next week he goes to Cookridge for a scan and this will be followed by five days of total body radiation ahead of his bone marrow transplant.

"Phil has always looked to the future and is a very positive young man. We are taking things one day at a time."

Phil said: "It was a great day, beginning with the ride in the car, but the best bit by far was flying the Tucano simulator. It was fantastic."

Charity founder Francine Levin said: "Everyone at the base has been amazing."