The mum of a four-year-old who battled a rare eye cancer is urging other parents to nominate their children for a bravery award.

Each year in the run-up to Christmas, Cancer Research UK runs its Little Star Awards to recognise and celebrate the courage of children with cancer.

Last year Ewan Boarder was named a Little Star, by mum Samantha, 33, who felt he deserved recognition for how bravely he had coped with all the medical treatment.

The midwifery care assistant said: 'I'd like to encourage people to nominate children because it does make them feel special and it does make them see they do deserve something for being so brave.'

The youngster, from Colman Road, Norwich, was diagnosed with retinoblastoma – a tumour of the retina – when he was two, after his grandma noticed an unusual white shadow on his eye in some holiday photographs.

Unfortunately, Ewan had become completely blind in his right eye and specialists said the tumour was aggressive and had to remove his eye.

Scans revealed that although the cancer had not spread to other parts of his body, it had reached the outer blood vessels of his eye and he had to have chemotherapy and now has a prosthetic eye.

Last year 15 children from across the East of England received a Little Star Award for which there is no judging panel because the charity believes every child who faces cancer should get one.

Recipients get a unique trophy, a �50 gift card for partner retailer TK Maxx and a certificate signed by celebrities.

To nominate a Little Star, or to donate to help children with cancer, visit the website www.cancerresearchuk.org/littlestar. The awards are open to all under-18s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.

Do you have a story about a brave child who has battled cancer? Contact Kim Briscoe 01603 772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk.