BATTLING tot Jack Witchard received a standing ovation from sport stars yesterday at a charity cricket tournament in his name.

Jack, one, from Rogerstone, has a rare immune deficiency known as Langerhans Cell Hitlocytosis (LCH), a potential fatal disease.

Doctors feared his only chance was a bone marrow transplant and following a worldwide search a potential donor was found last December.

But Jack is doing so well on chemotherapy that his transplant is on hold. And yesterday he was guest of honour at the tournament.

Student nurse Louise Thomas, 23, of Abergavenny, read about Jack in the Argus, and organised a charity six-a-side cricket tournament at Abergavenny Cricket Club to raise cash for the Anthony Nolan bone marrow trust.

She and fellow organisers persuaded Glamorgan County Cricket Club to send a team and other sports stars including ex-Welsh rugby international Scott Quinell sent signed shirts to be raffled.

A crowd of well over 200 stood to applaude applaud Jack and his parents.

Jack's mother, Paula, said: "I couldn't believe what happened when we got here, I broke down."

Teams were competing for the Jack Witchard Trophy, a specially-made glass cup, eventually won by the Glamorgan team.

Louise said: "I'm over the moon at how it turned out. It's marvellous to see how much people care."

Abergavenny club president Brian Shackleton said the event raised well over £1,000.

* Pictured: Glamorgan cricket captain Steve James and little Jack Witchard at the cricket match