Family's heartbreak after scans reveal mascot Bradley Lowery, 5, has new tumour

The family of a football mascot whose battle with terminal cancer has won the hearts of people around the world have revealed he has a new tumour.

Thousands of well-wishers have shown their support for Bradley Lowery, five, from Blackhall, County Durham, who has neuroblastoma.

The Sunderland fan has been a mascot for his side and Everton this season, has had a hospital visit from his favourite players and had fans singing his name.

Bradley has been undergoing treatment in hospital to prolong his life and his mother Gemma shared the terrible news that his condition is not improving.

She wrote on Facebook: "Bradley has had scans the last couple of days to see if treatment is working.

"Bradley's consultant has had a look at the images and give us some information but we will have to wait for the official results.

"Unfortunately the results are not what we wanted to hear.

"Bradley scans show that there has been a small reduction in some parts however there is a new tumour on the bottom of his back.

"As you can imagine we are devastated and heartbroken with this news as I really wanted the new treatment to work."

Writing on the Bradley Lowery's Fight Against Neuroblastoma Facebook page, she said: "We are not sure where we go from here as it will depend on his bone marrow biopsy results. He is getting this done tomorrow but results won't be back for another week.

"Why is life so cruel? Why do we have to get bad news time after time? Why does my baby not get a break?"

Earlier this season Everton stunned Bradley's family by pledging £200,000 towards an appeal to help pay for ground-breaking treatment in the US.

And a shot he struck in the warm-up during Sunderland's game against Chelsea was picked as Match Of The Day's goal of the month.

When striker Jermain Defoe and other players visited Bradley at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle, to cheer him up, the little boy gave the star a cuddle and fell asleep in his arms.