A school has raised more than £8,000 towards medical treatment for one of its pupils who is battling a rare cancer.

Weeks of fund-raising at Varndean School in Brighton have raised £8,447.07, with £1,529.40 raised at a fun day last week.

Josh James, 14, of Birch Grove Crescent, Brighton, has Ewing's sarcoma, a rare cancer which grows in bones or soft tissue.

Josh was diagnosed in May last year and has undergone intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions.

His classmates at Varndean are running an online auction of promises for their next fund-raising scheme.

Among the lots on offer are a solicitor service for purchase or remortgage of a property; a solicitor service for a will; lunch for two at the Hotel Du Vin; reflexology, aromatherapy and massage sessions; an autographed shirt from Brighton and Hove Albion; a return car trip to Gatwick airport and tickets for many venues and events throughout Brighton and Hove.

People are invited to bid for the lots, which can be viewed at www.varndean.co.uk Individuals, companies and organisations, including Asda, have been supporting the appeal, which has raised more than £20,000.

Josh is undergoing chemotherapy but his family may seek alternative treatment, even abroad, which could cost thousands of pounds.