A TEENAGER is to teach himself to ride a bike again, despite losing a leg through cancer.

Ian Weston, 13, of Darlington, had a leg amputated in November last year. Since then, he has had to endure chemotherapy sessions.

Because of his bravery, Ian was named as a Braveheart, which meant he received a £500 prize of his choice at a ceremony at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he has been treated, and he chose a mountain bike.

His mother Hilary said: "He is backwards and forwards to the hospital all the time, but he just gets on with it. He is very determined to ride that bike, but before that he will have to learn how to walk again. He gets his prosthetic leg soon.

"He looks at that bike and says 'I'm going to ride that'."

Ian's prize, one of eight given to North-East children, was presented by the charity Bravehearts of the North-East, whose patron is rock star Mark Knopfler.

Another award winner was Adam Robson, six, of Sunderland, who chose a CD system. He had meningitis at five days old, which has left his legs and arms paralysed.

Leukaemia sufferer Laura Howe, 13, of Middlesbrough, chose a computer, as did Rebecca Lawrence, seven, who suffers from cancer.

Matthew Algie, six, from Middlesbrough, also suffers from leukaemia, and he chose a TV, video and a mountain bike.

Katie Lloyd, of West Boldon and Kevin Ward of Gateshead, both 15, chose PlayStation 2 consoles. Katie has cancer and Kevin has muscular dystrophy.

Shaun Potts, 14, of Hartlepool, who also has muscular dystrophy, chose digital cameras