Christopher Harrison joined more than 80 Cubs and Scouts to collect special awards from the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Hugo Brunner - despite undergoing an operation to remove a brain tumour.

For more than two years, Christopher, ten, of Haydon Road, Didcot, was dogged by ill-health and constant headaches.

But his family and Cub leaders said he put in a supreme effort to take part in camps and complete all the sections, including community service for the Adventure Crest Award, the highest achievement for Cub Scouts.

Already suffering from asthma and eczema, Christopher's health and morale suddenly began to deteriorate two-and-a-half years ago when he was also diagnosed with dyslexia and suffered constant headaches.

But his father Peter Harrison said that what no-one knew until July this year - after Christopher had successfully completed the Crest Award with the 23rd Didcot Cub pack - was that he had a brain tumour.

Surgeons were able to carry out a successful operation to remove the tumour and Christopher, a pupil at Manor Primary School, Didcot, has now undergone radiotherapy before starting a course of chemotherapy.

His parents said the operation and treatment Christopher received had been very successful and had given them confidence that he was making a complete recovery.

Christopher posed for photographs with three friends from the 23rd Didcot pack who also received the award - Ben Collings, of Westwater Way, Didcot, Philip Southwood of Hamble Road, Didcot, and Lloyd Kensett, of Prestwick Burn, Didcot - and Tarquin May, the Assistant County Commissioner for Cubs.

Mr May said: "The award is a great achievement for all the Cubs, but especially for Christopher after all that he has gone through."

Like many of the recipients of the Crest Award, Christopher has now left the Cubs to become a Scout.

He said: "I have started with the 1st Hagbourne Troop and I'm really enjoying it."

The ceremony took place in Wantage, where County Scout Commissioner Tim Kidd presented commemorative woggles to the award winners.