BURGLARS have stolen a mobile phone from an eight-year-old boy who suffers from leukaemia.

Daniel Turner had his phone stolen as he enjoyed Darlington's fireworks extravaganza, in South Park on Saturday night.

Daniel, a pupil at Springfield Primary, was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was four, and Roger Turner said he took great joy in seeing his sick grandson using the phone he bought him.

"He wanted one like mine, so I had to go and buy him one," said Roger. "He's lost without it."

The burglars, who broke into a relative's house in Herbert Street, where some of Daniel's mum's belongings had been left while they were at the display, took a handbag, containing keys for the family car, and the phone. The car, a Vauxhall Nova, was recovered nearby, but the handbag and phone, a Nokia 3210, are still missing.

Darlington police are investigating and can be contacted on (01325) 467681.