Viewers were in tears after two best friends were named Young Fundraisers of the Year at Pride of Britain Awards.

The award show which was broadcast on Thursday evening (November 4) saw Hughie Higginson, 11, and Freddie Xavi, 10, collect their trophies after the duo raised over £220,000 for charity.

In September 2020 Hughie who lives in Higham was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and began three years of treatment at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Inspired by his brave best friend, Freddie, from Whalley, decided to run 2km every day for 50 days in a bid to raise £1,000 for Manchester hospital charity - but the Clarets fans ended up raising over £220,000.

On the awards show, Freddie said: “I knew Hughie was going through a hard time but what I was doing was nowhere near has hard.”

The boys have been named as the mini Ant and Dec and were told by the I’m a Celebrity presenters that they had won the award.

Ant said: “We know what it’s like when a best mate helps out another best mate” before he and Dec crowned the friends honorary Princes of the Jungle.

Announcing the award, presenter Ben Shephard said the boys show how friendship conquers all and that you can do absolutely anything with your best friends by your side.

Hughie said: “The bond between us is unbreakable - we will be friends forever.”

With Freddie adding: “We are best friends for life and we are basically brothers.”

The boys were presented with their trophies by Freddie’s favourite singer KSI and marathon runner Mo Farrah.