Cycling mad James Bottomley was taking a well-earned rest today after pedalling the length of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

Ten-year-old James completed the 120-mile charity ride in just three days, a feat made even more remarkable for a child who battled for life as a tiny baby.

New-born James was born ten weeks prematurely, weighing just 2lb 4oz.

After spending two months in Bradford Royal Infirmary, he was finally allowed home, only to be struck down by a life-threatening respiratory virus.

His parents Tracey and Jimmy Bottomley were told not to expect their tiny son to survive when he was taken to specialist units in Manchester and then Glasgow.

But fighter James refused to give up and pulled through.

A decade on, James, of Larch Drive, Odsal, weighs just three-and-a-half stone but has raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Proud mum Tracey, 37, said: "When he was born was a terrible time, as we did not think he would live.

"He kept stopping breathing. It was Christmas Eve when I held him for the first time. It was the best present I have had."

Today, a fit and healthy James loves nothing better than playing football and riding his mountain bike.

James was joined by his parents and granddad Paul Goulding, 58, on his latest ride in support of the Make A Wish Foundation.

Despite atrocious weather conditions, the group set off from Liverpool earlier this week, arriving in Leeds with very tired legs but having raised £500 for the children's charity.

James said: "It was good fun but hard work now and again. My favourite bit was finishing when I met my family."

Tracey said: "We did around 40 miles in the first day - making it as far as Wigan. We then came home, washed the bikes and returned to where we left off the previous day to start again.

"I was worried about James and didn't want him to make himself ill doing this. But although he was very tired at the end of each day, he was determined to see it through. He is bike crazy.

"It was really tough in places, I don't think the tow path became even until Silsden. But he flew up some of the hills and was brilliant."

St Winefride's RC Primary School pupil James had been keen to complete the ride to help children who "were not as lucky as him".

The keen Liverpool FC fan has completed two other charity rides, raising funds for Bradford Royal Infirmary and Yorkshire Air Ambulance by pedalling from York to Selby and back again.