A HAMPSHIRE schoolgirl who doctors feared might never walk was today jumping for joy after being honoured for her bravery. Eight-year-old Lizzie Lansley has astounded medics to become a judo, swimming and street dance fan despite her parents being told when she was a baby that her outlook was very poor.

Yesterday she was recognised with a bravery award at a national awards ceremony in London where she met Prince Harry.

As a baby Lizzie from Maybush, Southampton, was diagnosed with a rare condition which meant a tumour had grown at the base of her spine while she was in the womb.

Doctors operated when she was just four days old. They removed the tumour and some bone to stop it growing back but it was feared this might leave Lizzie paralysed.

Eight years on and the Holy Family Primary school pupil trains with Hampshire’s judo team as well as taking lessons in swimming and street dance.

Lizzie accepted her award at the WellChild Children’s Health awards at Lord’s cricket ground from her judo hero and British champion Craig Fallon.

When asked what she wanted to do in the future Lizzie replied: “I’d really like to go to the Olympics for judo in 2020 and I also want to be a paediatric surgeon so I can help make people better like Dr Wheeler made me.”

So proud Kedge Martin, CEO of WellChild, said: “These awards are about celebrating the strength which is shown by so many children and young people, like Lizzie, and the excellence demonstrated by those people who care for them.”

Sam said: “We’re so immensely proud of her. It’s one of those occasions where words can’t even begin to describe the feeling.

“To see her today as an active eight year-old is amazing.”