DESPITE Saturday's rain Atherton firefighters' charity car wash in aid of teenage leukaemia sufferer Daniel Berry definitely wasn't a wash-out.

The Gloucester Street station opened to the public between 11am-4pm while Green Watch and Blue Watch firefighters, helped by Farnworth-based cadets, spent the day washing every car that came through the gates.

The event raised an estimated £600 for 17-year-old Daniel, of Crosby Grove, Atherton.

Organiser Dave Farrington said: "It was a great success, but hard work! It was definitely worth it, especially since it is for a local cause. Daniel's dad came down to have his car washed and was amazed at the number of cars queuing down the road."

The Berrys this week received the news they have been waiting for -- a date for Daniel's bone marrow transplant. The operation will take place at Manchester Royal Infirmary on Wednesday, May 15.

Daniel's dad, Gary was delighted, he said: "This is the biggest step so far and what we have been waiting eight months for. Daniel still has a long way to go, but we are confident. He just wants to get on with it. He's looking forward to his summer holiday in Falaraki -- it's something for him to aim for."

Daniel, of Crosby Grove, Atherton, will begin his sixth course of chemotherapy tomorrow, which could hospitalise him for up to eight weeks.

Gary said: "Now we are gearing up for the bone marrow transplant it means increased drug doses. It's difficult, especially as Daniel was at home during his last course, now he'll be back in hospital so it will feel like we're starting all over again."

Although a matching donor has been found, the transplant itself will be a major procedure, with many hurdles to climb, including two total body radiation sessions at Christie's.