At the age of just three, brave Bethanie Shaw-Shillam has already been through more than most have in a lifetime.

The youngster from Oldbury has battled meningitis and lost part of her leg but has proved she has a fighting spirit far beyond her young years.

Now she has been named as one of the Express & Star’s local heroes to honour her courage.

“Looking at her now you wouldn’t think anything had ever happened to her,” said proud mum Rebekah Shaw.

The youngster spent three months in Birmingham Children’s Hospital in March 2006 and has had to undergo numerous skin grafts and have a prosthetic foot fitted, after part of her leg had to be amputated.

Rebekah, aged 22, who lives with Bethanie’s dad Chris Shillam, 23, said their beautiful little girl was fully deserving of her new award, which has already taken pride of place at the family home in Valentine Road.

This week Bethanie donned her school uniform for her first day to attend nursery at Annie Lennard Infant School, in Smethwick, and she has her sights firmly set on her future.

“Her first week at nursery has been brilliant for her, she loves it and has made all these new friends,” said Rebekah.

Bethanie, who turned three in February, had an operation earlier this year and knows she will have to undergo more in the future.