Children in Need's 'half-a-heart' Henry Bromberg dies aged nine

A boy with only half a functioning heart who appeared on Children in Need has died aged nine.

Henry Bromberg, dubbed "half-a-heart Henry", was featured on the children's fundraising programme last year.

The youngster was born with hypo-plastic left heart syndrome, a rare condition where only one side of his heart functioned.

Due to his condition Henry spent most of his time in hospital and could no longer go to school because of his deteriorating health.

Henry's appearance on Children in Need inspired hundreds of schools to run their own Readathon - sponsored reading sessions to fund books and storytellers in the UK's 30 main children's hospitals.

Additionally, the youngster became a young ambassador for the Cotswold-based Readathon charity.

Henry, who had dreams of becoming a doctor, was due to have a third round of heart surgery aged four, but was unable because he suffered a brain abscess.

Doctors could do no more for Henry, who was on the waiting list for a new heart.

His death was announced on Friday by Rainbow Corner, his former playgroup.