A GRIEVING mother last night paid tribute to her “brave” six year-old girl after she lost her four-year battle with the brain tumour she only knew as the “bug in her head”.

A GRIEVING mother last night paid tribute to her “brave” six year-old girl after she lost her four-year battle with the brain tumour she only knew as the “bug in her head”.

Ella Marie Prouse, of Gedding near Bury St Edmunds, had endured surgery, radio therapy and chemotherapy but amazed doctors at Addenbrookes' Hospital in Cambridge with her resilience.

After one bout of intensive medication doctors were expecting to have to feed her through a tube to keep her weight up - but she refused to be cowed by the gruelling treatment and ate for herself.

She continued to defy doctors' predictions, giving her family a precious extra summer with her before her health began to decline again as the cancer took hold.

The quiet but lively youngster resisted the disease until Saturday days before her seventh birthday.

Paying tribute, her mother Lorna Prouse said: “Ella was a very kind, caring and sweet child - she was the sort of child who would always put someone else before herself.

“She wasn't sporty but she liked to have fun making things and was popular at school.

“I will remember her strange sense of humour - she would be in hysterics if you stubbed your toe or tripped over. She loved penguins and anything pink - she was a very girly girl.”

Ella's sister Charlotte, five, also only understood the disease which took her elder sibling's life as a “bad bug” and has been told she has gone to heaven. But she has asked why her sister's body hasn't gone with her.

Ms Prouse said: “Charlie now thinks Ella went to heaven on a train because that's the way she always wanted to go and she has left her body like the hungry caterpillar when it leaves its cocoon behind.

“Not until recently has Charlie understood what was going on but we haven't labelled the bug.

“Ella knew she was ill and that it was serious but for her it was normal because she has never known anything else. She was brave and always bore the treatment with a smile.

“I just feel lost and empty but at the same time relieved because it was very hard to watch her suffer and now I know she isn't suffering anymore.”

Ms Prouse also thanked the staff of Addenbrookes' for their care and dedication and in particular Harry Taylor and Audrey Johnson who had grown close to Ella.

Her grandmother Lindsey Drysdale, said: “She used to come up to see me and we would plant flowers together. We would spend a lot of time sitting in the garden together - she was a very placid girl.

“I remember taking her to see March of the Penguins and seeing how enthralled she was.

“Now I just feel numb - we knew what was going to happen but when it does it just knocks you over.”

Ella's funeral will be held this Friday at St Mary's in Gedding.