A mother's dying wish that her two young sons start a new life with their aunt in America may not be fulfilled because of the costs involved.

Jo Lynch tragically died of cancer in July last year aged 29 thinking that her boys would be brought up by her sister Sam Wells in Los Angeles.

Since then Kallum Lynch, aged nine, and seven-year-old Jack Rayner have been living with their grandfather Patrick Lynch in Great Yarmouth while the arrangements were made.

Hopes were high that the boys would make the move this summer and the family spent Christmas in the US meeting new friends and finding out about their new school.

However it has since emerged that the process, which requires their aunt to officially adopt the boys, will cost an estimated $35,000 or around £25,000 - enough to scupper the plan.

Mr Lynch of Shakespeare Road, who has lost his wife and two of his three daughters to an inherited form of cancer, said the family would do all they could to raise the money and has appealed for help in setting up a fund.

He hoped to re-kindle the rallying spirit that saw him and his wife quit their jobs more than 30 years ago to provide a fun-packed last six months for their daughter Leanne who died of cancer aged just four. He went on to lose his wife Eve to the disease at 39.

Kallum was also diagnosed with cancer at 18 months old, spending nine months in intensive care.

Despite being clear of the disease treatment has left him with one lung, growth problems and a small heart.

Soon he will need surgery to straighten his back with two metal rods.

Meanwhile Jack is being tested to see if he too is a carrier.

Despite having regular checks their mother died at home just 23 days after the dreaded diagnosis, and had begged her sister to care for the boys.

Mr Lynch said he was proud of his grandsons but that the last seven months had been 'hell.'

The possibility that the brothers would not be able to live with his only surviving daughter was adding to his upset, he said.

'The school has been really good. The biggest problem now is getting them to America. The red tape is not a problem, it is just the money. We have got to get it somehow. My daughter is devastated that it might not now happen. If I was younger they could stay with me and I could adopt them. But I am nearly 64 and have had open heart surgery and three strokes, something has to be put in place.'

Mrs Wells, who is married with three children of her own, has told her father she will consider selling her house, while Mr Lynch is hoping to make connections with charities or groups who know about raising money although he doesn't want to handle any cash himself.

Kallum's teacher Kerri Stebbings said of the hoped-for move: 'It is what the boys need. It is fresh memories and a new start. They have been through things that adults would find difficult to deal with.'

To help the family contact the school office via office@edwardworlledge.norfolk.sch.uk.