A West Yorkshire school is holding a clinic in an attempt to find a bone marrow donor for a pupil who is fighting a life-threatening disease.

Just before the general election, eight-year-old Alice Maddock's parents challenged Tony Blair on live television to do more to help find bone marrow donors.

In an unprecedented move, the National Blood Service has agreed to lift restrictions for the clinic at Hanging Heaton junior and infants school near Batley on Monday evening.

Blood from donors who are not already on the bone marrow registry will be tested for suitability, avoiding the normal four to five-month waiting period.

We all know how to become a blood donor but people aren't aware of the registration process for bone marrow donation Carol Maddocks

Carol and Dean Maddocks discovered their daughter had the rare condition, aplastic anaemia, last summer.

In their search for a suitable donor for Alice, they have questioned the blood service's ruling that people cannot become bone marrow donors on their first visit.

Mrs Maddocks said: "The service is not pro-active enough in doing any publicity around bone marrow.

Head's participation

"Since Alice has become poorly, many people have asked us how they can become a donor.

"We all know how to become a blood donor but people aren't aware of the registration process for bone marrow donation."

The acting head of Alice's school, Craig Batley, will himself be tested.

He has distributed 2,500 leaflets around the local area to urge people to attend the clinic.

He said: "We're expecting a lot of people this evening and have already expressed an interest in holding another clinic in October."

Two weeks ago, it emerged that previous clinics which Mr and Mrs Maddocks had helped to organise had found three potential donors for people on a national register.

Mrs Maddocks continued: "The local community's been fantastic.

"Although we haven't yet found a donor for Alice, it helps us to know we've created donors for others."

Mr and Mrs Maddocks are to meet the prime minister at Downing Street later this month when they will press for changes to be made to the bone marrow registry.