CHEERFUL youngster Megan Armstrong looks like any other child – but behind her smiles lies a remarkable tale of courage.

The 11-year-old has had a brain tumour since she was just 13-months-old and today she is still defying the odds.

Earlier this year doctors discovered that Megan’s tumour had grown and her parents Sandra and Philip were faced with an agonising decision whether to allow surgeons to operate.

But instead they opted to continue with chemotherapy because of fears that Megan could risk losing her remaining 20% vision.

Now Megan has found a new lease of life and has returned to classes at Highfield Middle School.

Sandra, 42, of Prudhoe, Northumberland, said: “These past two months have been really tough and there were times when we didn’t know what was going to happen. When Megan went for a scan, doctors told us that her tumour had grown. They said they could either operate or continue with the chemotherapy.

“Megan has less than 20% eye sight and an operation could have caused her to lose it completely. We have to try and give Megan the best quality of life and we just want what’s best for her.

“She is a brave little girl. She just gets on with life and nothing seems to get her down. She loves going to school and hates being off. It’s unbelievable how quickly she returned after her chemotherapy – her teachers couldn’t believe it. She has just bounced back.”

Megan was first diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002 after it went undetected for months. Her family was told that she had just four weeks to live because her weight had dropped so quickly.

Since then, Sandra said, Megan had continually surprised her family.

She said: “After Megan was diagnosed with the brain tumour I didn’t think she would reach this age.

“Megan had chemotherapy for five years and she coped really well and we thought that might have been it.

“We still live in hope that Megan will get through this. She is a little fighter and such an inspiration.”