SCHOOLGIRL Faye Bosomworth has been given a special award in recognition of her courage.

The plucky five-year-old, who goes to St Wilfrid's Primary School in Hartford and is from Thornycroft, Winsford, was nominated by her mother Jo and chosen from hundreds of entries to receive a 'knighthood' from Camelot Theme Park's King Arthur.

A true knight in shining armour, Faye was born with a genetic condition meaning she has complex medical needs and development delay.

She was born with dislocated hips, a fused skull, three holes in her heart and various other medical conditions and had to undergo about 20 operations in the first two years of her life.

Already she has had to undergo corrective surgery on her hips, heart and eye and a nine-hour operation to reshape her skull. Initially she made a good recovery but the wound became infected and she had to have more operations to treat the potentially life-threatening infection.

Despite everything, she started mainstream school last year, something her parents thought she would never do, and always has a smile on her face.

Jo said: 'Faye has gone through a great deal and we are very proud of her. It's nice to see her smiling and enjoying herself. She loves going to school and is getting on really well.'

Hundreds of guests watched the ceremony when King Arthur presented Faye with an honorary knighthood and a framed certificate at the Lancashire theme park's Knights in Shining Armour ceremony.

It was part of Camelot's annual search for children who have overcome personal difficulties, tried extra hard at school, or spent time helping others.

Marketing manager Sandra Dempsey said: 'Faye has been incredibly brave.

'The Knights in Shining Armour ceremony was particularly touching and it was lovely to meet all Faye's friends and family who were obviously so proud.'