BRAVE Lucas Thorpe has been named a real little star.

The two-year-old, who has battled a rare form of bladder cancer since he was 11 months old, is launching the annual Cancer Research UK Little Star awards.

After undergoing months of chemotherapy at The Christie hospital in Manchester, Lucas travelled to America for 10 weeks of proton beam therapy with his dad Dale, mum Jodie Rothwell, and sister Molly, aged five.

But he developed pneumonia and septicaemia just two days after arriving and had to fight for his life in intensive care.

Against the odds, Lucas survived, despite nearly losing his right arm and leg to septicaemia. He was placed in a hyperbaric chamber and leeches were used to oxygenate his blood.

The septicaemia caused Lucas, from Atherton, to lose half of his right foot and the tips of his toes, as well as the tips of his fingers.

But he has now been declared cancer-free and has learned to adapt to his missing fingertips and has even learned to toddle by himself – recently mastering the full length of his living room.

Brave Lucas received a Cancer Research UK Little Star award and his parents are now urging other families to nominate a child.

His mum Miss Rothwell, aged 28, said: “Lucas doesn’t let anything defeat him.

“He is a happy, outgoing little boy who stubbornly refuses help and wants to do everything himself.

“Considering he could have lost his life, we felt we could live with a few missing digits.

“We still had him, and that gave us hope and kept us going.”

Cancer Research UK North West spokeswoman, Jane Bullock, added: “Lucas is a true ‘Little Star’ who richly deserves the accolade.

“We hope to acknowledge the bravery of many more children like Lucas and are urging family and friends to get nominating now.” Unlike many other children’s awards, which are open to anyone under 18 who has been treated for cancer in the last five years, there is no judging panel as Cancer Research UK and TK Maxx believe each child who faces cancer is special.

Little Star recipients get a unique trophy, a £50 TK Maxx gift card and a certificate signed by celebrities.

To nominate a Little Star visit cruk.org/littlestar.