A SIX-year-old girl battling a brain tumour has returned from a pilgrimage to Lourdes full of hope for the future.

Little Sophie White, from Shadsworth, Blackburn, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago, visited the springs and had an "amazing" experience when she walked through the holy waters.

Sophie's mum, Julie, who accompanied her on the trip, said: "There were a lot of very sick people there, which was absolutely heart-breaking.

"Sophie didn't want to bathe in the waters -- she wanted to walk through them -- so that is what she did.

"The water was freezing cold but Sophie said she felt really warm. She came out saying she was glowing inside with warmth and then fell asleep for over three hours.

"The guide who accompanied her into the water said she felt the same heat as Sophie did, and now she is sure that 'Our Lady' will get rid of her brain tumour for good.

The family attended Mass every day and Sophie even sang her favourite song, Jesus' Love Is Very Wonderful, in front of the congregation of hundreds.

More than six million pilgrims travel to the holy site in southern France every year.

Sophie has brought a ring with "Our Lady" on home to Blackburn and wears it constantly.

"Our Lady" refers to the blessed Virgin Mary, who appeared numerous times to Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto at Lourdes in 1858. Her mother said: "I myself am not Catholic so I don't know where her strong religious beliefs have come from. It really makes me think that there is something in it when she is so sure she will be cured.

"Miracles can really happen out there."

Next Thursday the Hickman line, which supplies chemotherapy to Sophie's body, will be removed. This will allow Sophie to take a bath and go swimming for the first time in 10 months. She will then have a brain scan in September to check that the brain tumour has not grown back.

Despite her little girl's illness, Mrs White remains positive about the future.

"There are so many people who are worse off than Sophie and we constantly remind ourselves of how lucky we are.

"Sophie is a strong character and her bravery is an inspiration to us all."

Mrs White would like to thank all the people who raised money to pay for the visit to Lourdes.