WHEN he was three years old Tom Bass decided, like many little boys, that he wanted to be a train driver when he grew up.

But unlike lots of youngsters, Tom, now 14 who lives in Marton, is still holding tight to his dream.

When First North Western heard about his aspirations and Tom's brave fight against leukaemia, they arranged a surprise for him -- to take the driving seat in one of their new Class 175 super trains.

"We kept it very quiet and told Tom that we were going on a family day out," said Tom's dad, Ian.

"At Blackpool North station, when the train driver came up to invite him into the cabin, Tom was stuck for words and that's not like him at all."

En route to the family's complimentary trip to the Lake District, Tom was delighted to sit alongside senior driver Andy Gorton to learn some of the secrets of train driving.

"Tom's smile when he got out of the cabin went from ear to ear," said Tom's mum, Eileen.

The plucky youngster, who was diagnosed with leukaemia just before he was five years old, has been in and out of hospital over the years for chemotherapy treatments.

Tom's dad added: "He's now in full remission, is very positive and has his future all planned out."

A Collegiate High School pupil, Tom wants to study public relations, then gain experience as a train conductor before fulfilling his goal.

Paul Bunting, commercial director of First North Western, said: "To be in a position to help make this young man's dream come true is a real pleasure."

Final word from Tom himself: "I'm mad on trains. All I've ever wanted to be is a train driver."