A conkering hero . . .

"It's quite hard to pick what's best about being eight. But just before we broke up for half term I nearly became the conker champ at school.

"It was in the afternoon and it was raining so we had to stay in.

"We played the match in the toilets but a teacher came and took our conkers off us, otherwise I might have won.

"There's a secret about making really good conkers.

"My friend says you need to keep them in the airing cupboard for a whole year until they get a bit mouldy and hard and they will be brilliant when you use them.

"My mum isn't too keen, though.

"When I grow up I want to be an astronaut and a WWF wrestler part-time.

"I've wanted to be an astronaut since I went to Florida and visited Cape Canaveral. I have loads of space badges.

"My favourite days are mine and my baby brother's birthdays, Halloween, Christmas and Bonfire Night.

"I know I'm lucky and my mom and dad say I'm a clever boy and if I work hard I will have lots of chances to do things, like be an astronaut and a wrestler.

"It makes me sad when I see the children in poor lands who are crying and have no moms and dads or houses or anything.

"I do hope that by the time I'm grown up things will be better for them and that we are all friends.

"If not, me and my friends will help them and we'll all be happy together."