WHEN young Daniel Severn collapsed in immense pain on his way to play rugby, no-one predicted an x-ray would reveal a bone tumour in his knee.

Months of hospital visits, operations and chemotherapy followed for the Year Eight Ripley St Thomas pupil whose knee bone has been replaced with an artificial joint.

But even when the tumour spread to his lungs, forcing him to undergo another two operations, Daniel, from Main Road, Bolton-le-Sands, did not stop enjoying life.

His bright outlook and efforts to help others have earned him a place at a VIP ceremony this Saturday.

He is due to receive an honorary knighthood for bravery at Came-lot Theme Park, watched by his proud family - parents Andrew and Sara and siblings Matthew and Deborah.

Since Daniel's collapse in 2002, he and friends have raised more than £1,200 for the Rainbow Trust, which supports children with long-term illness.

The latest stunt was a sponsored 24-hour James Bondathon, as 10 friends watched 10 films non-stop.

"The Trust has helped me a lot, and I thought it would also be a bit of fun," explains Daniel, whose cancer was discovered in October 2002.

"I was in continuous pain," he told the Citizen. "They thought it was a pulled muscle at first because nothing showed up. I was told to have physio but that didn't do anything. Then I went to have a game of rugby and on the way to the pitch I fell over and couldn't get up."

He is now undergoing physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to strengthen his leg, but still attends school for several hours every day.

His mum Sara, who nominated Daniel for the knighthood' after seeing an article in the Citizen, said specialists say they have not seen a case as aggressive as Daniel's for 10 years.