GAZETTE & HERALD: LITTLE fighter George Mitchell could be jetting off to New York in the next couple of weeks for life saving surgery on a brain tumour.

On Wednesday the brave tot, aged three, had a brain scan to see if the tumour has shrunk and his parents Sophie and Fraser are now waiting for the results.

Mrs Mitchell said the family was waiting for an appointment to speak to pioneering neurological surgeon Dr Patrick Kelly in New York and could be flying across the pond at any time.

"Doctors here won't operate. The ethos here is to watch and wait, but over there they have a different attitude," she said.

"We want to fly over just to speak to someone about operating but if they say it's far too risky we will have to rethink."

George, who lives with his parents and younger brother Harvey at Mallard Avenue in Lyneham, was diagnosed with Pilocytic Astrocytoma, a rare form of brain cancer, in June 2003.

His parents were warned that although the tumour was not aggressive, the youngster might not live to see his 10th birthday.

But because of his age little George's treatment options are limited. Radiotherapy is dangerous on young children because of the risks to the developing brain and doctors in Britain refuse to perform surgery as it could lead to permanent brain damage.

Desperate to raise enough cash to give George the chance of surgery in the US costing upwards of £70,000, Mr and Mrs Mitchell sold all but their most basic possessions.

Since then almost £90,000 has been raised in fund-raising activities across the county.

George, who attends Little Albert's Pre-School, is currently undergoing chemotherapy once every six weeks.

Mrs Mitchell, 30, said: "He's really well at the moment and I can tell he's well because he's being naughty. He's got hair now so he looks different.

"Even though the tumour's not particularly aggressive it's teasing us. We know that this surgery is the only option for George. We don't want him to go to school and be labelled the kid with the brain tumour. We need to go while he's fit, and at the moment his blood counts are really good.

"The scan will show if it's shrunk in size, or there might be a change in the tumour. Originally they thought it was near the thalamus, but now they think it could be close to the optic tract.

"But to put my child under the knife I've got be convinced about the risks. I know he could die from the surgery, and if that happens it will be so difficult to talk to people.

"At the moment I'm open minded about what will happen, but I'm ready to fly out there tomorrow if necessary.

"I just don't feel doctors in this country are leading the field in neurosurgery. Dr Patrick Kelly has an amazing reputation. If anyone can do it then Patrick Kelly will be the person."