TWO brave youngsters who have battled against the odds have received Child of Achievement awards at a ceremony in London.

Felicity Kitchen, aged six, weighed only 1lb 10oz when she was born and was not expected to live.

Although she had to have major heart surgery at four weeks old, Felicity, or Flissie as she is sometimes known, smiles through all that has been thrown at her.

Even now she is unable to maintain her body weight and has to be fed via a tube. She also faces more surgery over the coming years as she grows.

A pupil at Polam Hall Junior School in Darlington, Felicity, is an active member of Rainbow Brownies at Yarm, ballet and tap dancing.

Her mother Vicky Cloud, from Regency Park, Ingleby Barwick, said: "At a year old she was only 10lbs and doctors did not expect her to live. Yet here she is at six years old.

"She is a very, very brave little girl and will help anybody out."

Felicity was nominated by her teacher, Melanie Ord, who said she had never met anybody like her. "Her award is very much deserved; she is very positive and kind."

Another award winner who has fought to overcome physical difficulties is 12-year-old Tom Cartwright, from Moorsholm.

Despite suffering from cerebral palsy, which affects his handwriting, he has achieved level four in his Sats exams.

Tom also has speech difficulties and a tremor which affects both his hands and fine motor skills. Over the last two years he has successfully integrated into mainstream school and has risen to the challenge with an infectious smile that has been an example to both pupils and teachers.

He was nominated for his award by the classroom assistants at St Peter's School in Brotton.

His father, Austin Cartwright, said: "Tom is a very determined youngster and can now write, despite the difficulties he has holding a pencil.

"We were very proud when we found out he had achieved level four in his maths Sats.

"The award is very deserved. He nearly died when he was born and had to be in an incubator for a while, but he has come through that and gets on with life with a smile on his face."