A 10-year-old one-legged footballer has amazed a soccer scout with his "tremendous determination".

Leeds United scout Steve Wood thought Gomersal Under-11s player Liam Thomas was recovering from an injury as he watched him show off his skills at a match.

Liam had his right leg amputated at the knee when he was 12 months old after being born with part of his leg missing.

"I couldn't believe how well he did," said Mr Wood, who visited the Keybury League play-off match in Shipley on Sunday to search for new talent.

"In 20 years of football I have never seen anything like it. I have seen players with prosthetic arms but never legs. It is fantastic how much he has achieved. He showed tremendous determination."

He said he hoped to be able to offer the young players, who won the League, coaching in the future.

For Liam, every game is a victory as he battles to overcome his disability.

Mum Joanne Thomas, of Marsland Court, Hunsworth, said: "He is doing really well at football and it is all he wants to do. But his leg does limit him and when he comes home after a match it has rubbed sore because of all the pressure.

"But he would rather play football for 40 minutes and have to leave his leg off for the rest of the day than stop altogether.

"That's what makes him so special."

She said Liam, who attends West End Middle School in Cleckheaton, had always impressed people.

"To us he is a golden child because wherever he goes he shines. People expect him to be a sad, bitter child but he isn't."

On the pitch, Liam's false leg makes no difference, according to Gomersal Under-11s manager Richard Stretton.

"Liam is as good a player as any other, despite his disability," he said. "He's an exceptional child and has always played in the year above him because of his ability. He really deserves to do well."