The mother of a Norwich teenager who has endured six operations since being diagnosed with a brain tumour has spoken of how proud she is of her 'absolutely brilliant' son.

Norwich Evening News: Liam Watts, 15, has had six operations after being diagnosed witha brain tumour and hydrocephalus. Picture: ANTONY KELLYLiam Watts, 15, has had six operations after being diagnosed witha brain tumour and hydrocephalus. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2016)

Hewett Academy pupil Liam Watts, 15, (pictured) was diagnosed with the tumour in April last year after his mother, artist Lisa Almond, noticed he was slurring his words and took him to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Ms Almond, 44, said Liam, who had been ill off and on for a number of years and seen various doctors, was quickly transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, in Cambridge, after an assessment in the ophthalmology department showed he had a growth that turned out to be 'the size of a few grapes'. Now, after more than a year of being in and out of hospital, the future is looking brighter for Liam and his family, which includes his 12-year-old sister Jasmine Watts and father Jeff Watts, 45.

'He has been so amazing. He has been absolutely brilliant,' Ms Almond said. 'Liam has an MRI scan every six months to check for tumours and so far we are in the clear. We are looking forward to a nice Christmas together in Norwich.'

Ms Almond added: 'We were told Liam had a growth but I hadn't clicked 'brain tumour' until he was being checked into Addenbrooke's and the nurse wrote down 'brain tumour',' said Ms Almond.

'Then we had conversations with neurologists telling us all kinds of frightening things. Everything stopped, it was horrendous, but the team there were brilliant, and in the first operation they removed 100pc of the tumour.'

Ms Almond described the consultant neurosurgeon Helen Fernandes, who oversaw the operation, as the 'goddess of neurology' and paid tribute to all of her 'incredible' team.

Liam recovered from the operation but later had to return to Addenbrooke's after developing hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluid on the brain, and he has since had to undergo five more operations.

Ms Almond said her son now has big scars on the back of his head and on one side of his head but that they were a testament to his bravery.

Liam has also received an early Christmas present from children's charity Dreams Come True, which made his wish of having a state of the art computer, on which to do art, gaming and filmmaking, come true.

Liam, who dreams of professionally editing music videos and advertisements, is now enjoying honing his skills on a state-of-the-art computer funded by children's charity Dreams Come True.

As well as using his computer for graphic design and video editing - Liam also enjoys playing the games Call of Duty and Battlefield on the machine.

'It's the best Christmas present I could have asked for. I'm using it every day.'

Speaking about his recovery, he added: 'I'm really happy. I didn't exactly enjoy the operations. They were very traumatic, but everything is better now.'

Ms Almond described Dreams Come True as an 'amazing' charity and said their gift had made a big difference to Liam.

'After everything Liam has been through it was so wonderful to see him get something that he absolutely loves and enables him to pursue his passions,' she said, adding that Liam was now having to work hard to catch up on the school lessons he missed while having treatment.

'Liam is back to normal and he is back to school, but he has missed a year of school so we are trying to catch him up as quickly as possible.'

Dreams Come True is a national children's charity which over the last 25 years has helped to make the dreams come true of more than 5,000 children. It is currently running a Christmas appeal to fulfil the wishes of 12 more children who have serious or life-limiting conditions. For more information and to donate funds to the campaign, visit www.dreamscometrue.uk.com