A BRAVE youngster inspired to walk again by boy band Busted is down in the dumps after hearing his beloved pop stars have split.

Eight-year-old Alex Harris, of Monarch Drive, St John's, Worcester - who was born with a rare muscle-weakening condition and curvature in his spine - was upset to hear the news about the band, mum Sheila told the Evening News over the weekend.

The youngster defied doctors' predictions he might not walk again last March when he was inspired to take his first steps after becoming star-struck by the band on television and wanting to leap around like them.

Mrs Harris said she broke the news to Alex about his idols on Friday after reading band member Charlie Simpson was leaving to concentrate on his side project Fightstar.

"He's not very happy - not very pleased at all.

"He didn't cry or anything but he said he's going to have to find something else now but he doesn't know what because there's nothing like Busted as far as he's concerned."

Alex, who is also mad about the fire brigade, saw the band at Birmingham NEC Arena for his birthday last month - while his leg was still in plaster after he fell off his bike in October, months after he started walking.

"He loved the Birmingham concert and was sat in his chair trying to dance the best he could," said Mrs Harris.

Alex was given several Busted goodies for Christmas - including a calendar, concert DVD and scarf - but his mum said she thought he might return to his other love.

"His friends from the fire brigade were here last week too as he's mad on fire engines - it was a toss-up between Busted and fire engines and because Busted aren't around any more I think he'll go back to them."

Alex has been off school since his October accident - and Mrs Harris said it meant he had been unable to walk properly since.

But he is due to return to Birmingham Children's Hospital next month for a check-up - and she hopes he might be back on his feet shortly.

"He's getting there slowly and he's taking a bit of weight on it but it's going to take him a while.

"However, he doesn't give up."