A COURAGEOUS Kent youngster is to present the Queen with the Millennium Flame in The Mall, London, during the centrepiece of the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Lucy-Rae Tamulevicius, 14, of Sterling Road, Queenborough, Sheppey, was one of hundreds of children nominated for their actions, courage and kindness in the Sun's Golden Jubilee Children competition for a chance to meet the Queen.

At 10 months old Lucy-Rae was diagnosed with cancer. Surgeons found a tumour wrapped around her windpipe and a valve to her heart and she was not expected to live.

But after chemotherapy the cancer went into remission. Surgery followed which involved breaking her ribs and severing muscles near her spine. She now has 40 metal pins supporting her ribs and is due to undergo spinal surgery this year.

Courageously Lucy-Rae copes with arthritis, bowel disease, asthma, eczema and curvature of the spine yet she still continues to dance and has helped to raise thousands of pounds for the Make-A-Wish charity. She has to wear a back brace 23 hours a day except when she is dancing.

Lucy-Rae and another winner will help the Queen light the final link in a unique chain of more 1,800 beacons on Monday, June 3. The ceremony will be the signal for the start of a fireworks display from the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Throughout the weekend Lucy-Rae and her family will spend two nights at a four-star London hotel. She will also enjoy exclusive access to the grounds of Buckingham Palace as a host of stars prepare for the Bank Holiday pop and rock concert.