CHARLOTTE Wakeham, the seven-year-old who has an incurable brain tumour, is nearing the end of her radiotherapy treatment.

Charlotte's family are hoping that when the treatment ends at the end of next week she will be able to fly to Disneyworld in Florida for a dream holiday.

As well as having daily doses of radiotherapy at Bristol Children's Hospital, Charlotte is being given a drug called chlorimipramine.

The family have been told there is no cure for Charlotte's tumour but are hoping that the treatment will increase her life expectancy.

Two weeks ago there had been a slight improvement in Charlotte's condition but this week her grandmother, Wendy Bryant, of Devizes, said Charlotte was feeling a bit sick but was generally no better or worse.

Ms Bryant said: "We don't know whether it is the radiotherapy or the chlorimipramine that has helped Charlotte. If the treatment hadn't worked we feel pretty sure that Charlotte would probably be a cabbage by now.

"She was losing her sight but she can see a lot better. Charlotte has never been abroad and she is looking forward to it."

On Saturday, GWR radio whisked Charlotte, two of her aunts and a cousin to Cadbury World in Birmingham.

Ms Bryant has set up a charity in Charlotte's name, called Charlotte's Chance of Life Fund, and more than £10,000 has already been raised for the charity. Recent donations include £443.83 given as a result of a collection at Safeway in Devizes.

Ten male customers of the Pipers Arms pub in Old Town, Swindon, bravely volunteered to have their heads shaved and raised a further £1,000.

On August 9 there is a 'toffs and tarts' skittles night at the Labour Club in Melksham. A wrestling match is being held in Trowbridge on September 13 at the Civic Hall. James Brett, the brother of the promoter of the wrestling match, Gareth Humphreys, has given a donation of £1,000 to the appeal after hearing about Charlotte.

Youngsters and staff at St Peter's Primary School, Devizes, raised £82 for the charity.

As well as raising money to send Charlotte on holiday and for the drug treatment, the Chance of Life Fund will help others with brain tumours.

A total of £4,000 was raised from an open day at radio station GWR and a football match between Aldbourne and Trowbridge. Ms Bryant donated half of the amount to four-year-old Swindon girl Charlie Jarvis, who has a rare form of childhood cancer.

Ms Bryant has written to thank those she has an address for and has passed on her thanks to others through the Gazette.

She is looking into the possibility of opening a shop in Devizes for the charity and is appealing to firms who would be interested in sponsoring it to contact her on (01380) 727130.