YOUNG David Astbury is facing major surgery for the second time in two weeks.

The plucky nine-year-old suffered a massive brain haemorrhage in December and last week underwent neurosurgery at Manchester's Hope Hospital.

But the operation was cut short after doctors discovered the damage was worse than they first thought.

David now awaits further surgery at Hope Hospital on Tuesday.

His mum Amanda, of Pickup Street, Clayton-le-Moors, said: "It's a shame that David has to go through the trauma of another operation.

"He hates needles, but he feels a little better about Tuesday because the doctors have said they will give him gas rather than an injection. "They expect the operation to last between two to three hours and if all goes well, he will be transferred from Hope to a ward at Pendlebury Hospital."

His sister Emma, six, had the day off school for last week's operation but will be in class on Tuesday.

"She was very restless last time and doesn't properly understand what is happening," said Amanda.

Children at Mount Pleasant School, Clayton-le-Moors, where David and Emma are pupils, are making cards and gifts for the brave youngster. David was boosted before his first op when charity Dial-a-Dream gave him a cocker spaniel puppy during a trip to the circus, at Southport.

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