A mum has described how a routine eye test saved her daughter's life – but has also spoken about how it could have been a very different story if she'd not had mother's intuition.

Layla Miller, from Dartford, was diagnosed with two brain tumours after a routine optician appointment and had to undergo a 12-hour operation to remove them.

The youngster, who was seven at the time, had been suffering from headaches for years but this had been put down to a family history of migraines.

The Royal Park Primary pupil had also been complaining of stomach aches and wasn't gaining weight – but this too had been linked to her headaches by doctors.

But during an eye test in January last year, a trainee optician discovered Layla had a raised optic nerve. The optician got a second opinion from a senior member of staff who told mum Ruby that it was nothing to worry about.

Ruby was told that unless Layla was vomiting or experiencing problems with her sight, she didn't need to take immediate action and she should get Layla checked again in 12 months.

However, Ruby said she knew something was wrong and after worrying at home that night, she called the opticians the next day and Layla was then referred to hospital for an urgent appointment.

Ruby, 29, said: "This was when Layla was given a scan and they found a large tumour.

"We have since been told that if the tumours had not been found, Layla might not have had long left. If we had left it 12 months like the optician said, she might not be here."

Layla was seen at Queen Mary's Hospital two weeks after seeing the optician and underwent an MRI scan.

A few days later, Layla's family were told the devastating news she had a large brain tumour and she was admitted to King's College Hospital on London within hours.

A follow-up scan found Layla actually had two tumours on her brainstem, the lower part of the brain that's connected to the spinal cord. Tumors that develop in this area of the brain are especially difficult to treat.

Ruby said: "Layla had to be under the care of King's College Hospital and the Royal Marsden because even though the tumours were benign, they were very rare.

"Before having her operation, Layla needed steroids to build her up as she was underweight at this point. She only weighed 2st 3lbs – the weight of an average three-year-old and she was seven."

Layla underwent a craniotomy, a form of brain surgery which involves removing part of the skull, on February 18 last year and was in the operating theatre for 12 hours. Doctors were able to remove most of the tumours.

Just six days later, Layla was discharged from hospital.

Ruby, of Waldeck Road, Dartford, said: "She was very determined. She had to undergo some physio as she had lost some strength in her left side. But she didn't stop."

Three months after her op, Layla joined her mum for a fundraising challenge – running 26.2 miles during the month of May and raising more than £800 for Brain Tumour Research.

Layla, now back at school full time and doing well, will be doing the challenge again this year with her mum and aunt Scarlet.

She has also raised money for the charity by organising a winter wonderland event in December last year.

Layla was initially being monitored with three-monthly scans but that has now been extended to every six months.

Ruby said: "She used to be very shy and quiet but now she has come out of herself a lot more.

"She loves gymnastics and goes to a club in Sidcup. At home she loves writing stories and drawing."

She added: "I want to raise awareness that routine optician appointments are so important.

"If it wasn’t for them and the amazing trainee optician who raised the concerns she had, Layla had a very high chance of not being here now."

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager for Brain Tumour Research, has thanked Layla and her family for fundraising for the charity.

She added: “Layla’s story is a stark reminder of how indiscriminate brain tumours are, affecting anyone at any age and time. They also kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer and yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to the devastating disease."

To sponsor Layla for her 26.2 mile challenge in May, click here.