ASK most schoolchildren who their hero is, and the list will probably include movie stars, footballers and chart-topping pop singers. But for Alex Taylor, from Witney, his idol can be found a little bit closer to home.

The nine-year-old has suffered from severe asthma since he was young, and in recognition he picked a rather unusual outfit for his school’s fancy dress day – an inhaler.

After hearing that his school, Batt Primary in Witney, would be supporting this year’s Children In Need appeal last Friday, he set about persuading his mum Bev to make him the bright blue costume.

Alex said: “I was told to go as my hero, and my hero is my inhaler.

“My teacher really liked the idea.”

Mrs Taylor said: “I did try to convince him to be something else. He was interested in health so I said why don’t you be a paramedic, but he didn’t listen.

“There was a lot of excitement around the school when he arrived, and everyone wanted to get near the costume.

“His inhaler is something he’s had to use a lot this year, so it made sense to dress up as that.”

Friday’s Children In Need appeal raised £37,100,687 nationwide.