THE family of brave schoolgirl Deanna Radcliffe today made a New Year wish and said: "All we want is a healthy little girl."

Deanna, seven, of Regent Street, Bacup, is looking forward to celebrating the milestone of her second year in remission.

She was diagnosed with an inoperable tumour behind her right eye in April 2001, and underwent a course of chemotherapy and an intensive course of radiotherapy.

Her mum Liz Radcliffe is pleased with the progress she has made during the past two years, with her doing well at school despite her tough year.

She said: "Deanna has been absolutely remarkable this year.

"She is such a happy little girl who is always thinking of other people. She deserves to have a year without any setbacks."

Liz said she was hoping the family will have an easier time in the New Year after Deanna went to hospital on Boxing Day last year when she became ill. Liz said: "We're looking forward to the New Year and hoping it turns out to be a good one.

"We have got a lot to be thankful for but this year we will be wishing for a healthy little girl - that's all anybody could ask for.

"We always make an extra special effort at Christmas for the girls. We are hoping it will be a good and positive New Year.

"She is having some more tests at the Manchester Eye Hospital in the New Year but we are hoping they won't reveal anything negative."

Rossendale folk raised £11,500 to send Deanna and her mum and dad, Liz and Paul, older sister Danielle, ten, and her best friend, her toy Labrador Emily, on the three-week holiday of a lifetime to Florida in April.

This year Deanna, a Britannia Primary School pupil, performed on stage in her second school play.

Her mum said: "She was singing on stage, we felt really proud watching her

"She took part in her first performance last year and loved every minute of it so she was looking forward to it again this year."

Deanna and her older sister Danielle both attend Rossendale Dance and Drama Centre in Waterfoot.

Little Deanna was also a finalist in the Child of Courage section of our Pride of East Lancashire Awards where she captured many people's hearts for the bravery she showed in helping other youngsters at hospital to come to terms with their conditions.