A YOUNG brother and sister who survived a car crash and whose mother is battling cancer have been nominated for an award.

Sarah and John Smith, from Cooling, near Rochester, survived the crash in Cliffe last November with just cuts and bruises. They were on their way to school when their car collided with a lorry in Merryboys Road.

The last six years have seen their mother, Marian, endure intensive chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Mrs Smith, 39, who has lost her hair four times through her illness, has been told by doctors she has a minimum of six months to live, but is optimistic she will share more time with her husband Derek, 37, who runs a wedding car hire business and their children.

Mrs Smith is pinning her hopes on a new drugs trial later this year. She said: "We are living each day at a time, not looking too far into the future and trying to pack lots of things in."

The family travelled to Disneyland Paris for a week at the beginning of September, but instead of heading back to their home went straight to Gatwick to fly out to Orlando for a week, which Mr Smith organised for his family as a surprise.

The holiday had been booked so Marian could fulfil her lifetime ambition - to swim with dolphins. Ten-year-old Sarah was nominated for a young heroes award by Brownie leader Linda Clarke, who said: "Sarah was involved in a car crash with her mum and brother and she was more concerned with their welfare than her own. She maintained a very calming influence on her family at the time and showed great courage both at the accident and when dealing with her mother's illness."

Sarah's six-year-old brother John, who attends Hilltop Primary School with her, was nominated for an award by Medway Today reporter Sarah Hills, who met the family.

She said: "Both the children have had a lot to deal with at such a young age and I felt John deserved an award, too, for his bravery in dealing with all life has thrown at the family."

Mrs Smith, who works as a programmer in London, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996 and, despite having a mastectomy and spending two and a half years in remission, was devastated to discover the cancer had returned, but in her neck.

Conventional treatment and drugs haven't cured the disease, so she will join a research programme at the end of the year to trial new drugs. She said: "I will be trying out new drugs which they hope will work. If they help me, I will keep on them, but it is mainly to find out how they affect people, before they are offered to all cancer patients."

The family will join others nominated for a Pride in Medway award, which is sponsored by British Gas and Medway Council and supported by the Medway Messenger and Medway Today at Rochester's Corn Exchange in November.

Sarah and John will receive a certificate from Medway Mayor Ted Baker and hear the stories of other award-winners during the ceremony.