A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD Trowbridge girl has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour and has just months to live.

Charlotte Wakeham, who lives with her parents Alison Fletcher and Bill Wakeham at Longfield Road, was examined at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, last week.

Within two hours her mum and grandmother, Wendy Bryant, heard the devastating news that Charlotte has only four months to a year to live.

Ms Bryant said: "Her mum is trying her best to cope as she realises someone has to be strong, but my son, Charlotte's father, is distraught and spends most of his time crying.

"The hardest thing was to go home and tell him the tumour was inoperable. It's the most dreadful thing a mother could ever do."

Surgeons will operate at the end of this week, when they hope to remove part of the tumour to ease pressure on Charlotte's brain. She will also undergo a course of radiotherapy.

After some research on the internet, Ms Bryant discovered a new wonder drug called Zevalin, which was reported to have an 80 per cent success rate with some types of cancer.

But her hopes were dashed when she was told it would not be suitable for Charlotte's condition.

Ms Bryant is refusing to give up and has found another drug called Temozolomide, which could prolong her granddaughter's life and may soon be available on the NHS.

She said: "I try not to think about it too much. No matter what the prognosis is I will keep on looking for any cure. I have even contacted the University of California to see if they can help."

Teachers at Paxcroft School, Trowbridge, were the first to notice something was wrong, as Charlotte's usually neat and well-written work was becoming increasingly illegible.

Ms Bryant said: "She has probably had the tumour for months but has rapidly gone downhill in the last four weeks.

"She has always been a happy, healthy and intelligent girl, but now she cannot eat soft food without help, has double vision and salivates a lot. Her symptoms get worse the more tired she gets."

The Wiltshire Times has joined forces with the family to set up a charity called Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund, which will help pay for her to go on a dream trip to Disneyland Paris. It will also cover the cost of any treatments the NHS cannot provide.

Nearly £1,000 has already been collected and other fundraising events are being planned over the coming weeks.

Ms Bryant said: "No matter what happens to Charlotte, the charity will continue and we will raise money for other families who need money for treatments."

Donations to the fund can be sent to the Wiltshire Times office at 15, Duke Street, Trowbridge. Please make cheques payable to Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund.