Children in Wiltshire fighting cancer are to receive a special charity award for their courage, backed by celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Doctor Who star David Tennant.

Cancer Research UK is launching its Little Star Awards and is inviting friends and relatives to nominate young cancer patients dear to them for special recognition in the run-up to Christmas.

The Little Star accolade is given to all children under17 who are nominated and have undergone cancer treatment in the last five years.

Unlike other children's awards, there is no judging panel because Cancer Research UK believes each and every child who confronts cancer is extra special.

Each recipient will receive a certificate signed by David Tennant, Kylie Minogue, footballer Ryan Giggs and other famous faces, a special Little Star trophy and a goody bag courtesy of Disney, HarperCollins books, Jetix children's TV and Orion Children's Books.

Cancer Research UK is the UK's largest single supporter of children's cancer research.

The charity helps fund the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group which organises and manages the treatment of virtually all children with cancer via a network of 21 paediatric centres throughout the UK.

The CCLG is one of the world's leading childhood cancer clinical trial groups and is dedicated to improving specialist care so that new ways of treating, curing and preventing the disease can be found.

Helen Johnstone, from Cancer Research UK said: "This is the fifth year that Cancer Research UK's Little Star awards have celebrated the nation's child cancer patients and survivors, recognising the unique challenges faced by young people diagnosed with cancer.

"Cancer is the most common cause of death from illness in children aged between one and 14. Each year, about 1,500 children in the UK are diagnosed with the disease, that is one in every 500.

"However, there is some good news. Thanks to research, more than seven out of 10 children with cancer are successfully treated and over 80 per cent of children survive the most common childhood leukaemia.

"Our awards celebrate this success while bringing a little festive cheer into the lives of families whose children are affected by the disease."

Other celebrities supporting Cancer Research UK's Little Star awards include boy band McFly and singer Lemar.

To nominate a Little Star simply email littlestar@cancer.org.uk, call 0113 231 9828 to request a nomination form, or visit the Cancer Research website (see the link below) The awards are open to all under-17s who have cancer or have been treated for the disease in the last five years.