An iconic TV star has nominated Cumbrian youngster Noah Wall for a special award.

John Challis, who played Boycie in the hit programme Only Fools and Horses, is backing Noah for an Operation Ouch award.

Noah, who is now nine-years-old, has already ticked off an impressive range of adventurous activities like horse riding, surfing and sky diving - despite being born with only two per cent brain tissue, severe spina bifida, hydrocephalus and paralysis from the chest down.

But now, the youngster, from Abbeytown, is waiting to have an operation that should help him walk again.

Mr Challis said he was happy to make a difference after nominating him for the award.

Entries will fall into four categories and a judging panel will choose a winner within each category that will be awarded an experience with the doctors.

They are as follows:

  • First aid award
  • Life saver award
  • Big heart award
  • Personal courage award

Noah's mum Shelly Wall, welcomed the news and said: “It’s fantastic, Noah and Boycie have a great relationship and during lockdown the pair have been exchanging gardening tips.

“It’s so nice to see him nominated and we would just like Cumbria to get behind him and support him.”

The nine-year-old is currently waiting to go into hospital to have surgery on his leg.