Two best friends have been awarded a Pride of Britain award for raising more than £200,000 for a hospital charity after one was diagnosed with cancer.

Hughie Higginson and Freddie Xavi, both 11, have been announced as this year’s Good Morning Britain Young Fundraiser Award winners, for raising more than £200,000 after Hughie was diagnosed with leukaemia and Freddie vowed to help him to thank his doctors and nurses.

Hughie, from Higham, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last September and began three years of treatment at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

He wanted to say thank you to the medics looking after him so he signed up for the hospital charity’s fundraising walk.

Sadly, on the day he was too ill to take part, which is when best pal Freddie, from Whalley, stepped up.

Pushing even further, Freddie devised his own fundraising challenge on behalf of his pal to run 100km - running 2km every day in the 50 days leading up to Christmas.

He completed the final 2km on Christmas morning, pounding the streets before opening his presents.

Hughie summoned all his strength to join his mate on the final stretch so they could cross the line together, hand-in-hand.

The Claret’s supporter’s inspirational friendship, and incredible fundraising efforts touched hearts in their Lancashire community and beyond, and the pair have now raised more than £220,000.

Georgia Sleigh from the hospital charity said: “Freddie and Hughie are just incredible – words just don’t do justice to how inspiring they both are.”

Last year, the boys were provided with a BBC Radio Lancashire Make a Difference Award.

The awards, which celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things, will be broadcast on ITV on November 4 at 8pm.

As well as extraordinary stories of bravery, selflessness and phenomenal fundraising feats, there will also be plenty of jaw-dropping surprises, laughs and emotional moments in store – with huge stars from the worlds of film, television, music and sport, uniting to pay tribute to members of the public, young and old, whose achievements are truly inspirational.

The awards, which celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things, will be broadcast on ITV on November 4 at 8pm.