George Stocker from Little Ribston met his heroes in the England rugby team after being invited to Twickenham for the Six Nations match against Ireland.

Along with dad Roger, mum Louise and sister Kelly, he was one of just a handful of people allowed to watch the team train the day before the match.

Once the session was over, he met the players and had photographs taken and his shirt signed by them as they made their way off the pitch.

George said: "It was really good. I met Dylan Hartley - he's my favourite player because he is a hooker and that's my position.

"We had to wait ages to see Jonny Wilkinson because he was practising his kicks after everyone else finished."

The family was invited to Twickenham by the director of elite rugby, Rob Andrew, who gave them a tour of the stadium, ending in the England changing room.

Mr Andrew had heard about George's fundraising for Candlelighters, the children's cancer charity, and about George's own battle with the disease.

The family had a tour of the Twickenham Experience, the museum dedicated to the history of the club, before going into London to see Queen musical We Will Rock You.

And, far from just watching the match the next day, George was invited to be part of the guard of honour as the teams took to the field for the start of the match.

George's dad, Roger, said: "It absolutely exceeded our expectations. The players spent time chatting to George and asking him how he was doing."

After being treated for a brain tumour over the last two years, George is now back at school full time and has returned to playing rugby.

He has organised numerous local fundraising events for children's cancer charity Candlelighters and, despite having finished his own treatment, he plans to continue supporting it.

Roger said: "We've raised just under £30,000 for Candlelighters so we're going to try to raise a total of £50,000 towards the Big Move appeal.

"The children's cancer centre is moving from St James's to Leeds General Infirmary and Candlelighters wants to raise an extra £500,000 for the new centre."

Upcoming events include a fun run on June 20, a sponsored swim by George's classmates at the Grammar School at Leeds and the annual Candlelighters' Ball in Harrogate in October.

Dad, Roger will also be taking on a sponsored cycle to Twickenham in the summer.

To find out more, visit www.candlelighters.org.uk or, to support George's ongoing fundraising, visit www.justgiving.com/geoge-stocker.