ROYAL praise was in store for a Chipping Norton youngster as she won a national award for bravery in the face of illness.

Seven-year-old Meriel Park, who has a rare disorder called nemaline myopathy that leads to weak skeletal muscles, received her accolade from Prince Harry in London on Monday.

A passionate Arsenal supporter, Meriel needs a feeding tube, walking aid and ventilation at night to breathe properly.

She saw off hundreds of children from across the country to win the Inspirational Child category at the 2015 Wellchild Awards ceremony at the Hilton.

Meriel was nominated by Pauline Ella, her teacher at Kitebrook House School, Moreton-in-Marsh.

She said: “I have never known her to feel sorry for herself. She shows extraordinary courage.”

Prince Harry, a patron of the charity which supports sick children, said: “All of us together can make a real difference, just like those we have seen on the stage this evening. This charity has achieved so much, yet is working hard to make life better for young people.”