A Bradford policeman has written to Prime Minister Tony Blair in a last ditch push to save his desperately sick daughter.

Eight-year-old Alice Maddocks was diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia last-year and her father Dean was told her only chance of a cure was a bone marrow transplant.

Ever since, he has desperately tried to raise the profile of the British Bone Marrow Registry and has accused its organisers - the National Blood Service - of being "wishy-washy" and "non-committal" in taking action.

In their letter to Mr Blair , PC Maddocks and his Carol wrote: "If legislation can be changed on the back of media coverage of a calf, then surely changes can be made to this issue. We feel it is not our responsibility to have to continue campaigning for a new donor... despite all our efforts we know that a great deal more could be done in assisting us to find a donor for Alice."

PC Maddocks, 38, based with Bradford South police, said the National Blood Service had ignored his suggestions and pleas for help, leaving time fast running out for his daughter, whose body does not produce sufficient red and white cells for her blood to clot properly.

He wants the service to begin telling new blood donors that they can register to give bone marrow on a first visit. He is also urging an awareness campaign to alert existing donors to the register.

He said he had been "forced into a corner" by its inaction and added: "They have been wishy-washy and non-committal. We are putting suggestions forward and they are not doing anything about them."

As a temporary measure to stave off serious ill health, the youngster has to undergo regular blood transfusions, but these reduce the chance of a transplant being a success.

And she is set to undergo a second bout of agonising immuno-suppression treatment, aimed at reversing the condition, which can cause side effects such as severe vomiting, diarrhoea, skin conditions and fevers.

PC Maddocks said: "It's been very difficult for us. She's such a lovely kid. She loves life, loves doing things, but it's hard work."

Speaking about the latest bout of immuno-suppression treatment, PC Maddocks said he would have to wait six months to see any effects.

"Hopefully the results will pick up but it's not a cure, whereas a bone marrow transplant is. If she doesn't respond to the treatment then I don't know what we are going to do."

He launched a website last year - www.helpalice.org - to help try to find a donor. It has received more than 7,000 hits.

A National Blood Service spokesman said: "We have done a lot on the publicity side. Naturally we could do more and we will be doing more. Our targets have increased by 5,000 each year over the last three years and we hope to have similar success this year."

A Downing Street spokeswoman said the letter from the Maddocks would be passed to the relevant department and would be responded to.