A GRAPHIC designer who lost her mum to a brain tumour has called for the European Parliament to do more to defeat the cruel disease.

Laura Maree, 23, was among a group of Young Ambassadors for The Brain Tumour Charity who travelled to Brussels to press for increased investment in research and better support services for those with brain tumours.

Her mum Joan, died at the age of 54, in 2009 after the late diagnosis of a highly aggressive terminal glioblastoma.

Miss Maree and her fellow Young Ambassadors, all of whom have either been treated for a brain tumour or have lost a close relative to the disease, met MEP Emma McClarkin for the East Midlands, to discuss their experiences.

Laura, from Nelson said: "Mum was misdiagnosed several times. By the time the tumour was found it was too late.

"We were left heartbroken when she was cruelly taken from us just eight months later.

"Sadly my dad passed way in 2013 from lymphoma at 62. He was heartbroken when Mum died and worked hard to raise awareness about brain tumours too.

"I’m a Young Ambassador in his memory as well as Mum’s.

"Most of all, I know Mum would have wanted me to use her experience to help other people."

In April 2008, Mrs Maree suffered a seizure and was taken to Blackburn Royal Hospital, after suffering from another seizure in the ambulance and banging her head, she had a scan.

She was told the scan revealed she had bruising on her skull and another one would be needed in six weeks time.

Mrs Maree started suffering from severe headaches which made her collapse, feel sick and lose concentration.

The follow-up scan six weeks later revealed a glioblastoma and surgery taken to remove as much of the tumour as possible, followed by six weeks of daily radiotherapy sessions and chemotherapy.

She died eight months after diagnosis, leaving Laura, her dad, sister Kami, 39, and brother Kevin, 37, heartbroken.

Sarah Lindsell, The Brain Tumour Charity’s chief executive who travelled with the group to Brussels, said: "Our Young Ambassadors’ stories are a powerful reminder of why we need more research into brain tumours and better treatments for the disease.

"We will continue to push at every level, both within the UK and more widely, for progress towards out twin goals of doubling survival and halving the harm caused by brain tumours."