CARING children at a village nursery have clubbed together to make life a little more bearable for a four-year-old who is battling leukaemia.

Brave Danny Pennell can now watch his favourite Tigger tape as often as he likes after 26 of his friends at Wilden First School's nursery chipped in to buy him a combined television and video.

Danny, who lives with mum Alison, 33, and her parents in Wilden Lane, was diagnosed with the illness in June and has just finished one course of treatment.

The next, more intense stage of the three-year course, is due to begin in September - and Danny's friends wanted to buy something he would be able to use time and again while resting from the tiring chemotherapy.

They also made him a card.

Proud school head Joy White said: "We knew there was something wrong with Danny but didn't realise what the problem was. He had aching limbs and pins and needles."

When he was diagnosed with acute lymphoplastic leukaemia, the other children were very concerned and wanted to do something for him, she added.

The television was the brainchild of Kay Blount, who is Danny's nursery teacher, godmother and next door neighbour.

The children raised £70, which was enough to secure the television from Safeway in Kidderminster after the store, hearing of Danny's plight, offered a discount.

Contributions were also made by a playgroup based at the village hall, which Danny sometimes attends.

Danny's mum Alison said he had been delighted with his surprise present - and had immediately withdrawn to his bedroom to watch his favourite tape - featuring Winnie the Pooh stories.

Mrs White added: "He has been a very sad little boy and his treatment is stepping up a gear in September. We knew a television would be something he could use often.

"They're very caring children; they've been super from the word go."