PRESENTS, cards and plenty of laughter - that's the sort of medicine brave David Astbury needs.

And he's getting it from his young classmates who are putting a smile back on the nine-year-old's face after a major brain operation

Children at Clayton-le-Moor's Mount Pleasant Primary School, including David's sister Emma, six, have sent gifts to David, who is recovering at Pendlebury Hospital in Manchester.

They also aim to raise £1,000 for the hospital's intensive care unit where David spent a fortnight after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage last December. This week the youngster of Pickup Street, Clayton-le-Moors underwent complex neurosurgery at Manchester's Hope Hospital before being transferred to Pendlebury where doctors say he is "doing well".

Headteacher Lynn Woodward said: "The children miss him terribly. They were a bit bewildered when he had the haemorrhage but they've accepted it now.

"David and his mum Amanda visit the school on a regular basis and the children have been making cards and donating cash to buy him presents."

His mother is now keeping a bedside vigil and waiting to hear whether the operation will be a success.

Last week, our front pages featured a picture of David, with his new pal, a Cocker Spaniel called Candy. He received the puppy during a surprise chauffeur-driven trip to the Moscow State Circus in Southport, thanks to the charity Dial-a-Dream.

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