A LITTLE girl who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer despite her severe disability has been nominated for one of The Argus Community Stars Awards.

Three-and-a-half-year-old Amelia Craig has cerebral palsy after being born 10 weeks prematurely.

She has been put forward for the Carol Barnes Courageous Child of the Year Award.

This award honours those children who have shown courage above their years.

They might have helped others overcome problems or shown bravery in battling illness or adversity.

The award highlights some exceptional youngsters in Sussex and is named in memory of the former ITN newsreader, who lived in Ovingdean, who died following a stroke in 2008.

Amelia’s painful condition mostly affects her limbs and means the muscles in her legs are permanently contracted.

She cannot put her feet flat down on the ground and can only walk very short distances on the tips of her toes.

Her parents, Alana, 29, and William, 36, from Hove, have to make sure Amelia is supervised at all times because if she falls over, she cannot stand up again without help.

Alana said: “Doctors have told us that if things continue as they are, her knees and feet will turn in and the condition will deteriorate as she gets older to the point where she may need a wheelchair.”

Doctors say the best option to improve Amelia’s quality of life is a complicated operation which will reduce the stiffness in her limbs but is not currently available on the NHS. The family is trying to raise money to pay for it.

Amelia’s parents hope she may be able to have the operation next March ahead of her starting school the following September.

Alana said: “Amelia is a really happy child and has some great friends but I can see her face at times when she sees other children doing things she can’t do like using a trampoline.

“All she wants to do is to be able to join in and be in the middle of everyone else walking and running around, walking the dog or riding a bike.

“Her ultimate dream would be to go to dance and ballet classes and dance like a real princess.”

To find out more about Amelia’s case or how to donate and get involved, go to ameliassdrwish.com or visit the Facebook page Amelias SDR Wish.

Last year’s Courageous Child award was shared between Florence Leppard, Hunter Hill, Imogen Driscoll and Darcey Stride.