YOUNG musician Tom Damen-Lane is overcoming the ordeal of chemotherapy thanks to Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler.

Tom, of Frampton, revealed his dream of owning a Dingwall bass guitar to Starlight Children's Foundation - a charity that grants wishes to sick children.

And when Mark Knopfler - the lead singer and guitarist with Dire Straits and a supporter of the charity - heard about Tom's wish he stepped in to help.

He donated the exact guitar that Tom had set his heart on.

And now Tom hopes to play it in public for the first time at a gig at Tewkesbury tonight when he appears as part of the Phil Collins Tribute Band.

Tom, 14, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia a year ago - just months after discovering that he also had diabetes.

The illness and gruelling treatment meant he had to give up his beloved rugby but has been able to concentrate on his other passion - music.

His mother Moira said: "It was the most fantastic surprise. Tom is so delighted.

"He's hardly stopped playing it.

"He's had such a bad year. He was in Southampton hospital for two months.

"I thinks it's wonderful that Mark Knopfler has done this.

"It's so good to know that there are people who do things like this.

"I've written to thank him and sent him pictures of Tom with the guitar."

She also praised Starlight for making Tom's wish come true.

She added: "It's been very hard for him to give up his rugby and miss out on so much this last year so being able to play guitar is really helping him get through the trauma of chemotherapy."

Mark Knopfler said: "It was a pleasure to be able to grant Tom's wish and I am looking forward to hearing him play in the future."

Tom is a member of the band Epic Journey that he formed with schoolfriends from the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester.

And as the youngest member of the Phil Collins Tribute Band he was on stage at a sell-out show at the Weymouth Pavilion last weekend.

Susie Nation-Grainger, of Starlight Children's Foundation, said the charity was pleased to help Tom.

But it needs more money to help grant wishes for five other children in Dorset.

Starlight also creates entertainment in every hospital and hospice throughout the UK and helps sick children by arranging parties, organising pantomime trips and to enjoy other fun activities.