A WIRRAL toddler who finds strength in fighting cancer from her dog Noodles has been honoured with a special bravery award.

Ellie-Mai Bradley received the Little Star award from Cancer Research UK. The two-year-old, from Wallasey, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia on November 24 this year and had a bone marrow biopsy.

She is now being treated with steroids and chemotherapy and has to go to hospital every week for a lumbar puncture as well as taking tablets at home. She has suffered high blood pressure throughout her treatment and has had to have several blood transfusions and platelet transfers long the way.

Praising her bravery mum Ami, 22, said: "Ellie-Mai's really feisty and has not really let this get the better of her even though the last few weeks she has been really tired.

"It's been a tough year and we can't really plan from one day to the next because she has had such a spiky reaction to her treatment."

One thing that has helped Ellie-Mai to keep a smile on her face during her treatment has been her new dog Noodles - named after one of the only foods she would feel like eating after her chemo.

She has also worn beads of courage and got a new bead for each part of her treatment.

Ami added: "My mum's dog had a little of puppy and when Ellie-Mai met Noodles she just fell in love with her.

"Originally we called her Yoda like in Star Wars but to begin with when she started her chemotherapy one of the few things Ellie liked to eat was noodles.

"She would just shout "noodles" all the time - so after a while the dog just became Mr Noodles.

"She loves him so much - they are best friends."

Dad Jay said: "Ellie is my little star and I'm extremely proud of her and how she's coped with everything she's been through."

Ellie-Mai, who likes Peppa Pig, Disney and Lego, was nominated for her Little Star Award by nana Christina Watson, who said: "At the age of two, Ellie May has shown courage and still kept her wonderful humorous ways!

"I don't think I have heard her cry once although she has had numerous blood transfusions, chemotherapy and trips to Alder Hey often on a daily basis.

"I am proud and humbled to be her nana. She is a little inspiration to me, her Granddad and family."

Cancer Research UK, in partnership with fashion retailer TK Maxx, is encouraging relatives and friends of young cancer patients or survivors from across the region to nominate them now for special recognition in the run up to Christmas at cruk.org/littlestar.

Ellie-Mai received a unique trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by celebrities.

Alison Barbuti,  from Cancer Research UK, said: "The Little Star Awards are a wonderful way of raising awareness of the progress that is being made in the fight against children's cancer and we would like to encourage anyone who knows an inspirational child like Ellie-Mai to nominate them now.

"Thousands of children are here today thanks to the research that saved their lives. But sadly, improvements have not been seen in all cancers.

"There is much more to be done to ensure no child's life is cut short by the disease and to develop kinder and more effective treatments so that children can lead a full life after their diagnosis."