DETERMINED Sophie White has reassured her mum that God would cure her of a brain tumour after a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Now the six year-old has delighted doctors after her latest scan revealed the tumour had stopped growing.

Sophie, from Shadsworth, Blackburn, was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago.

But doctors hoped major surgery to remove part of the tumour, as well as a course of chemotherapy, would halt its spread.

And the youngster travelled to southern France this year to walk through the holy waters.

There she told her mum she had an amazing experience and was sure that 'Our Lady' would cure her by getting rid of her tumour for good.

And during a brain scan last month, delighted specialists were surprised to discover that the tumour had stopped growing. They said they were so pleased with the scan that Sophie would now only need a check-up scan every four months just to make sure the tumour did not start to develop again.

Sophie's mum, Julie, said: "It really is a miracle - the tumour is not growing at all.

"Sophie is looking and feeling really well so now it is just a case of monitoring her to make sure we keep going forward.

"I cannot tell you how lucky I feel just to have Sophie still with us. I know I am one of the lucky ones."

Doctors have now removed the Hickman line, which supplied chemotherapy to Sophie's body, and her nose tube. She can now go swimming and said she is looking forward to a holiday in Florida in December, which has been paid for by the Make a Wish Foundation, a charity that pays for special trips for sick children.

Sophie said: "I feel much better now and am really excited for my trip to Disneyland. I am going to go on all the rides, see firework displays, meet all the characters and swim in the sea. It is going to be brilliant."

Mrs White added: "We are really positive about the future and even though the tumour has left Sophie with difficulties, we know there are many people worse off.

"Sophie was so sure she would be cured and now is doing really well. It seems as if miracles can really happen."