Five-year-old Alexander Boxall, who had to have his eye removed after contracting retinoblastoma, was nominated by his proud grandma Colette for a Cancer Research UK Little Star Award.

She said: "I am, without doubt, the proudest granny in the land to have such a brave, handsome grandson who makes me laugh out loud every day.
"Alex will be my 'Little Star' for all time."

Alex received his silver star award (and goody bag) from Cancer Research UK's Lynn Daly on Friday December 21, and wants to display it on his living room chimney.

Alex's mum, Dominique, a health visitor, saved his life when she insisted on a second opinion after taking him to the opticians just before he started nursery school in summer 2005.

Alex became very distressed when the optometrist covered up his left eye, and Dominique was told the consultation could not continue as he was being uncooperative. But Dominique was worried by his unusual reaction, and asked for a second opinion, when the problem was spotted almost immediately; Alex's right retina was detached, and this was being caused by a tumour.

Alex was immediately referred to hospital, where consultants told Alex's family that they expected he had retinoblastoma – an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer that only affects about 30 children in the UK. The next day, Alex spent three hours in hospital being operated on at the specialist Moorfields Eye Hospital in London.

Dominique, of Lewes Road, Haywards Heath, said: "We had an amazing surgeon, but they had no idea what they would find. They didn't know whether the cancer had spread. I don't know how we got through it."

The surgical team had no option but to remove Alex's eye, and three weeks later he was fitted with his first prosthesis.

Two years on, Alex is still in and out of hospital for blood tests and fittings for his eye. He has had to learn to adapt to his new field of vision, which his family and school have helped with.

He has special lights on the stairs at home, which help him with judging distance, and his school, St Andrew's School in eastbourne, help by guiding him round when the layout of the classroom changes.

Dominique said: "You have to think all the time, and it's hard for him to be aware of things; he has no 3D vision at all, and he has to do things like use his shadow when he steps off a kerb to judge distances."

Despite all this, Alex has kept smiling and never moaned, despite sometimes finding his hospital appointments frightening. He now enjoys reading and art, and likes helping his grandad Max with the garden.

Gran Colette said: "He loves telling jokes to make others laugh and always tells others not to worry."

And Dominique is very proud of her son. She said: "We feel so blessed to have him. We're so lucky to get here. We never thought we would."