Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney has given his backing to a campaign that honours the bravery of young children battling cancer.

The 30-year-old, who is the father of two sons - Kai, six, and two-year-old Klay - has teamed up with Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens Star Awards.

"As a father I find it almost impossible to imagine the impact of being told your child has cancer," The Mirror quotes Rooney as saying.

"Over the years I've met many youngsters being treated for this horrible disease and every time their courage, positivity and determination touch my heart. To me every one of them is a hero in the true sense of the word."

Rooney's wife Coleen is pregnant with the couple's third child.