IT has been a difficult three years for seven-year-old Lauren Richmond after being diagnosed with leukaemia and going through the heartache of losing her hair.

But the plucky schoolgirl is hoping to finally put it all behind her to enjoy Christmas with her family.

This year's celebrations will be extra special for the Coates Lane Primary School pupil, a s it marks the end of her chemotherapy treatment and the first anniversary of being officially in remission.

Lauren, of Taylor Street, Barnoldswick, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was four years old and had to undergo immediate intensive chemotherapy at St James's Hospital, Leeds.

In her first year at school she had an attendance rate of 38 per cent because she spent so much time in hospital and she lost her long hair during her chemotherapy.

But last week she had her last chemo treatment, her long hair has now grown back and she is hoping that Father Christmas will bring her a hair dryer and hair brushes so that she can style it herself.

Mum Louise, of Taylor Street, said she was delighted that Lauren's chemo had come to an end.

"The first year she was diagnosed we spent most of our time on hospital wards and the second year we had to go to St James's Hospital every week.

"At least she will only have to go every three months for check-ups now.

"She is not out of the woods yet because they say five years in remission is good but ten years is when you can relax. She doesn't really know she had cancer. She's eating and growing well.

"She's full of it now and wasn't really phased by any of it.

"Although it was devastating at the time when I found out my child had leukaemia, we are just keeping happy and positive now.

"We are hoping this Christmas is going to be a really nice time."

Lauren will spend Christmas with her mum and grandparents before her uncle and four cousins arrive for New Year.

She has written a list of presents she would like and has sent it off to Santa.

Louise said: "She has asked for a CD player and CDs such as S Club Juniors, Robbie Williams, Miss Dynamite and Atomic Kitten. She likes dancing to them.

"Now she has got long hair back she's thrilled and she wants her own hairdryer and brushes.

"I think that's the best thing Santa could bring her."