Fourteen year-old Carl Griffiths of Trimsaran, near Llanelli, Wales can no longer play rugby because his feet have grown so big that he can't find boots to fit in.

Griffiths, who has beaten leukemia, said the chemotherapy and steroid treatment used to battle the disease has caused his feet to grow by as large as 17 inches.

He told the Mirror newspaper, "My feet have grown two sizes this year and are still growing. I've tried everywhere to get boots but they only make them to size 15."

His 38-year-old father, Wayne who works as a security guard adds, "We think the growth spurt is due to the treatments. We've mentioned it to the consultant. They are puzzled."

Wayne and Carl's mum Michelle, 36, have to buy shoes for his son in the United States.

Carl's feet are double the average British man - but late U.S. actor Matthew McGrory had size 29s.