A LITTLE girl battling a brain tumour has been granted her lifelong wish to be a princess for the day.

Charity Rays of Sunshine made the dream possible for Arwen Card, six, as she dressed up, met Father Christmas, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, stayed in a five-star hotel and dined at Harrods.

Arwen, of Garland Road, Abbey Fields, Colchester, also had her nails and make-up done at the world-famous Knightsbridge department store and rode in a fairytale glass carriage with mum Hannah, 28, dad Matthew, 32, and brother Sam, three.

The brain tumour was discovered three months before Arwen’s fourth birthday. It was removed at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.

She responded well to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but a routine six-monthly scan in August this year revealed the devastating news the tumour had returned.

Mrs Card said: “It was a shock. We had not expected it, because she was not feeling poorly at the time and there were no outward signs of the tumour.

“In fact, she is still feeling quite well, despite the fact she is on different and quite strong chemotherapy.”

The family must wait until a further scan in February determines if the treatment has been successful.

Mrs Card continued: “It really has been the boost we all needed.

“It was just magical being up there. I really had not expected them to have done so much.

“There were presents waiting for us at the hotel and Arwen got to choose the princess outfit she wanted. We were staying just down the road from Buckingham Palace as well.

“It was very emotional watching Arwen see her dream come true.

“She even got to meet Father Christmas, and he gave her a present.

“It really was an experience money could never buy and a memory we will treasure for ever.”