TOMORROW is a momentous day for Callum Edwards, not only is it his 12th birthday, but he also starts secondary school - despite continuing to undergo chemotherapy treatment for leukaemia.

Callum was diagnosed with the disease in January but is now in remission after a month of intensive treatment at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI).

He faces many more months of chemotherapy and has just started another round in the form of tablets administered at home.

Mother Tracy Edwards said Callum had been excited about starting Bradford Academy, in Teasdale Street, the same school his older brother, Kyle, already attends.

She said: "He still needs chemotherapy until 2018, but he's well in himself and has been really looking forward to starting secondary school.

"We have been into school and they are going to take it at his pace. It's a big deal going back to a proper school as he has been going to the Phoenix Centre in Holme Wood because of his behaviour problems."

The family, of Miles Hill Crescent, Bierley, has had more than its fair share of heartache in recent years. Younger brother, Shane, nine, is still recovering from a brain tumour.

Shane left doctors baffled almost a year ago, when, after chemotherapy, a scan showed he no longer had a tumour on his brain - only three months after the family had been told there was no hope.

Repeat scans this year continue to be clear and doctors have now dropped the checks to every six months, rather than every three.

Mrs Edwards added that a recent routine eye test for Callum had given the family another scare. It indicated pressure behind one eye, which immediately made them think of a possible brain tumour.

"I was panicking because I thought of what happened to Shane, but it turned out to be coats disease which can affect your eyesight and needs laser treatment," the 35-year-old said.

Mrs Edwards and her husband, Philip, 52, have decided not to allow their other two sons, Scott, who is nine, and Kyle, 12, to be tested for the cancer gene.

After much agonising they have agreed that it would be better not to know as the test cannot tell you the form, just whether they carry the gene.

"At first I was paranoid and wanted to find out, but now I don't want to know if I carry the gene and if it is me that has made Shane and Callum ill," she said.