Children with cancer are being recognised for their bravery in a new Christmas honours list.

Nominations for the Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards are now open and families are being called on to nominate young cancer patients and survivors for the honour in the run up to the festive season.

The awards are open to all children under 18 who live in the UK and have been treated for the disease within the past five years.

There is no judging panel and every nominee receives a trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card, T-shirt and a certificate signed by a host of famous faces, including celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and TV personality Dr Ranj.

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Calling for more nominations across the South East, children’s TV presenter Phil Gallagher said: “The strength these young people show when faced with a cancer diagnosis is remarkable and that’s why I’m supporting the Cancer Research UK for Children and Young People Star Awards again this year.

“Their courage and resilience needs to be honoured, and the Star Awards are such a lovely way of doing that and showing them how special they are.”

Some 240 children in the region are diagnosed with the disease every year.