A COLLECTION by Sainsbury's staff for a plucky youngster who is set to undergo a series of operations has been a huge success.

Five-year-old Alex was presented with a GameBoy to help ease his next hospital stay.

"We made the presentation to Alex on Friday morning," said Shirley Drane, of the Lychgate store, who organised the collection.

She revealed that Alex, who suffers from severe curvature of the spine, and is confined to a wheelchair, has already undergone two operations to try and combat the problem.

"He's going back into hospital on Tuesday, October 29, for three more operations," said Mrs Drane.

"He had requested a GameBoy for his stay, and over two days we have collected £138 to go and buy the present.

"I think he wanted it because he will be lying down all day and is likely to get bored from time to time."

Mrs Drane, who works at Sainsbury's in The Lychgate Shopping Centre, first heard about the brave youngster from her granddaughter who is his classmate at Hallow Primary School.

"I know he has already had one operation in Glasgow and one at a hospital in Birmingham this year, but neither have worked."