STAFF and pupils at Callands Community Primary School paid tribute to their incredibly courageous friend Ava Scott on Friday with a special award in her honour.

Beth Langton, aged 11, was the first person to receive the Ava Scott Friendship Award in memory of the bubbly eight-year-old.

The Kingswood youngster was diagnosed with rare cancer Ewing's Sarcoma in 2012 and sadly lost her brave battle on September 21, 2013.

Parents Alex and Janine said they were delighted her memory was living on at the school through the award and a special garden known as 'Ava's Thoughtful Place' where her friends can sit and gather their thoughts.

Mum Janine added: "The school have been absolutely brilliant and the head teacher Lisa Wigglesworth came to see Ava a few times in hospital.

"She said when she arrived here, Ava was the first pupil that made an impression on her after going over and giving her a hug.

"Most days are hard to get through.

"You want to have her name around and talk about her but it's so painful and other people back off because they don't know what to say or think they will upset us."

Alex, aged 44, and Janine, aged 42, describe Ava as a happy, thoughtful girl who was always active whether it was gymnastics or dancing around the house.

The Build-a-Bear fan had started to write her own songs and loved crafting spending hours making gift bags filled with presents for family and friends even when she was very poorly.

Ava's parents had initially been told she was suffering from growing pains when she was taken to Warrington Hospital before Janine took her to Alder Hey A&E where they discovered a tumour in Ava's leg.

"We were told there was a 10 to 15 per cent chance of recovery but immediately thought Ava was going to be one of those," Janine added.

"Then you have to go back to your child, who knows you have been crying, and act like nothing is wrong.

"She went through the most horrific treatment losing a third of her body weight and had the worst kind of chemo because it was so aggressive.

"But she never moaned and the dignity and strength she had was unbelievable."

Since Ava's sad death the family have continued to raise cash for Claire House, which still supports them today, and have so far raised more than £15,000.

Five-year-old brother Joe is now 'the image' of his big sister and has even picked up some of her traits and habits including a desire to write his own songs.

Janine added: "He so misses her and can't understand why we can't fly to heaven or asks if a rocket will take us there.

"Ava was so thoughtful and a genuinely beautiful girl inside and out and we're really pleased with the award as Ava was a friend to everyone."