A youngster is undergoing chocolate deprivation to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Six-year-old Liam Burgess, of Poppy Crescent, Minster, is taking part in a month-long DECHOX. It’s in support of his sister Bryanna, eight, who has a congenital heart defect.

By managing to suppress his choccy craving, Liam, a St George’s primary pupil, has so far raised £170 – his target was £100.

His mum, Clare, said her son’s self-imposed ban on the dark-coloured treats began when he heard the DECHOX campaign advertised on radio.

She said: “Liam asked if the British Heart Foundation ‘helped people like Bryanna’.

“I told him it did, so he said, ‘right, I’m going to do it, then’.

“He’s a real chocoholic by nature and he’s finding it very difficult.

“But he’s being motivated by checking his sponsorship.”

Clare, a business consultant, said her son’s abstinence was severely tested last week at a friend’s birthday party.

She said: “One of the mums told me he refused anything that had chocolate in it.

“He watched all his friends eat chocolate, but he didn’t eat any himself.

“He didn’t even have a chocolate milkshake.”

Rather than come out in support of her brother, Clare said Bryanna, who also attends St George’s, “has been quite happy to eat chocolate in front of Liam”.

“But she’s very proud of him.”

Liam’s exile from his favourite snack officially ends today (Wednesday) – just in time for Easter – and with his mum promising to buy him a big bar of chocolate to celebrate, he’s going to be one happy bunny.

To sponsor Liam, visit justgiving.com/dechox2015-liamburgess.