TOM CLAXTON is a brave lad.

Every day, while his friends go to school, he stays at home in Richmond, North Yorkshire, whiling away the hours watching videos with his gran.

But then Tom has a rare cancer and each day is a battle with the disease which has blighted his life for almost a year.

At first his illness, a medullablastoma brain tumour - one so rare that on average there will be only six patients in the country at any one time - was a challenge.

After all, Tom, who is now 12, was diagnosed as a hyperactive child and was often in trouble as a result.

But, since major surgery to remove the malignant tumour last March, life has become a daily slog, punctuated by appointments for radiotherapy or chemotherapy and always dominated by the powerful drugs which keep the disease in remission.

At first, there were people around who helped him get through.

However, with lives of their own to lead, the number has gradually diminished. Today, only a handful still call.

But, although Tom's energy may have been sapped by his illness, mum Linda Bailey said he remained resilient and determined to get better.

"He told me once he thinks he has got cancer because he is strong enough to cope," she said.

If it wasn't him, then it could have been one of his friends.

"But, even though he is brave, I know he finds it hard to watch his friends leading normal lives.

"He wants to be back with them as soon as he possibly can.''

Tom's treatment will last until May and, if scans remain clear until then, he will know he is on the road to recovery.

Specialists in Newcastle have said, if the disease remains in remission for five years after that, the chances of a relapse are slim.

Tom does have a holiday in Tunisia, in July, to look forward to.

"He is very tired and not eating much at the moment; I know he would love to see people he knows and cares about, even if it was just for half an hour,'' said Mrs Bailey.

"I have to work and, sometimes, leaving him behind is as difficult as it was the first time when he was a baby; life can be a bit of a roller-coaster.

"However, just a few people calling to see how he is could make all the difference.''