An Ashtead youngster who suffers from a rare debilitating condition attended a star-studded Christmas party at 11 Downing Street.

Twelve-year-old Sophie Roberts, who suffers from Optic Glioma, a type of brain tumour that has left her with severely impaired vision, was invited to the afternoon event last week by Chancellor George Osborne.

The party, organised by Starlight Children’s Foundation, saw the state rooms transformed to mirror the world of Alice in Wonderland and was attended by Strictly Come Dancing’s Patsy Kensit and members of Girls Aloud.

Richard Roberts, Sophie’s father, said: “It was a tremendous event and Sophie really enjoyed it.

“It is absolutely invaluable to have something for the children to look forward to after all they have been through.

“It’s great for us as a family to have that kind of support.”

Sophie was diagnosed in 2002 at the age of three, and has since undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

It was here that Sophie, who attends City Freeman’s school in Ashtead, was invited to attend the event along with 50 other children.

Neil Swan, Chief Executive at Starlight Children’s Foundation, said: “Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time for families with a very poorly child and, on behalf of Starlight, I want to thank the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his team at No 11 Downing Street for their exceptional hospitality. Their generosity, hard work and effort have brought some very happy memories to some very deserving families this Christmas.”

Kimberley Walsh, from Girls Aloud, said: “It was a real honour to attend such a wonderful party and to meet some of Starlight’s very special kids. It was amazing to have such a noisy party in such a prestigious venue. We had great fun.”

Fellow Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts added: “It was not just an opportunity for the kids to escape and have fun but it was also a chance for the parents to meet other families with similar difficulties and take time out from their testing day-to-day routines.”