A BRAVE ten-year-old, who plays for his school football team despite having an artificial leg, has received an award.

Michael Peel, from Chester-le-Street, had to have his leg amputated to save his life when he was four years old.

He had contracted the menincoccal pneumonia virus, which went undiagnosed for days. By the time his condition was found, his lower leg had to be amputated.

The Chester-le-Street CE Junior School pupil has constant physiotherapy and has to undergo painful operations every other year until he is about 20, when his bones should stop growing.

But his fighting spirit and determination to take part in every aspect of school life has been an inspiration to those around him.

Even though he has an artificial limb, he still plays for his school football team. And in June he took part in a sponsored run, refusing to stop even when his leg became painful and blistered.

His headteacher, Joan Twomey, was so impressed with Michael that she nominated him for one of Chester-le-Street District Council's Young Achiever's Awards.

Michael, who was a finalist in The Northern Echo's Local Heroes 2003 awards, was one of six winners.

Mrs Twomey said: "Michael has always shown great courage and determination to overcome his disability. He joins in all games and sports, never complains and no one would ever suspect that he had a disability."

Michael's mother, Lesley, says they have involved the school in Michael's struggle back to health but she says as much as the school's involvement and encouragement has helped him, his attitude has been one of the biggest factors in his recovery.

She said: "He's just so resilient, he just bounces back every single time. He won't be beaten. He refuses to use a wheelchair because he says people don't talk to him, they talk to me over his head."

Michael was presented with his Young Achiever's Award in a ceremony at the Civic Centre in Chester-le-Street.

The other winners were: Nicola Hindle, 17, for her contribution to girls' rugby coaching; Joanne Jameson, 15, who has raised hundreds of pounds for charity; Andrew Rodenby, 14, for his commitment to sport (he competes at county level in rugby and completed his GCSE in sports two years early, gaining an A grade); Toni Sewell, 16, who has overcome personal difficulties to attain six GCSEs; Victoria Bryant, 17, who competes in national rowing competitions and has also taken exams in seven different forms of dance.