A FECKENHAM youngster who is battling back after the removal of a brain tumour was guest of honour at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she cut the ribbon on a new £150,000 radiotherapy unit.

Frances Wormington, eight, has just undergone her last week of therapy and the next few months will be critical for her recovery.

The new unit is designed to make visits to the hospital more bearable for youngsters who need treatment.

Normally radiotherapy centres are in basements due to walls having to be lined with 40 inches of lead due to the radiation but at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital it is in a separate building.

The unit is full of natural light due to the instillation of sky lights and is filled with interactive toys for youngsters to play with.

Frances said: "The new play area is really good and gives me something to do while I am waiting for my treatment and I hope it will help other children."

This year Frances has missed out on taking part in the school play because of daily trips to the hospital and also missed out on going to see a pantomime but said being invited to open the new unit helped make up for her losses.

Money for the new unit was raised through various donations, including one from the Hannah Eliza Guy charity.