The family of a 10-year-old Chelmsford girl battling a brain tumour is backing a UK-wide campaign to raise awareness of the disease.

Brooke Smee was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in October 2015 after vomiting every day for a month. She became increasingly lethargic and began to struggle with walking.

Doctors suggested she was suffering abdominal migraine but her desperate mum, Kayley Baker, was certain the cause was more serious.

A Google symptoms search convinced Kayley that Brooke had a brain tumour. Her fears were confirmed after she persuaded doctors to refer Brooke for an MRI scan.

Now Kayley is speaking out in support of HeadSmart, a campaign run by The Brain Tumour Charity to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of childhood brain tumours.

HeadSmart has already helped cut the average diagnosis time for a childhood brain tumour in the UK from more than 13 weeks to 6.5 weeks.

Today sees the launch of a new drive to bring that figure below four weeks. It will focus on healthcare professionals, parents and teenagers in a bid to ensure young patients with possible brain tumour symptoms are referred for specialist help as quickly as possible.

Kayley, of Mersey Way, Chelmsford, said: “We know from our own experience how important it is for doctors and parents to recognise when a child might have a brain tumour.

“HeadSmart has had an impact already but there are still too many people out there who don’t spot the warning signs.”

Following her diagnosis with medulloblastoma – the most common form of cancerous brain tumour in children - Brooke underwent surgery and gruelling radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

Her most recent scan showed no regrowth of the tumour but she will continue to be monitored closely.

The HeadSmart campaign includes pocket-sized symptoms cards and a website - headsmart.org.uk, which list the warning signs of a brain tumour in babies, children and teenagers. These include vomiting, balance problems and unusual eye movements.

Hayley Epps, campaign manager for The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “Brain tumours kill more children in the UK than any other type of cancer. HeadSmart has two aims - to save lives and reduce long-term disability by bringing down diagnosis times.

“Brooke’s story shows very clearly why HeadSmart is so important. We are very grateful to his family for their support.”