Lauren gets Blue Peter Gold badge

They are all holders of the coveted Blue Peter gold badge.

Lauren, of Whychurst Gardens, is one of just 17 people to have received this honour in the last 50 years.

The ten year old pupil of Netherfield School was nominated for the badge by the Whizz Kidz charity for her outstanding achievement.

Lauren is an ambassador for the disabled children's charity, and has herself raised 30,000 having been diagnosed with spina bifida at birth.

Lauren has already received her gold badge, but film of it will not be shown on Blue Peter until January 2010.

Lauren was awarded the gold badge for overcoming her condition, inspiring others and for her enormous fundraising efforts for SASBAH, the spina bifida charity in Sussex.

Two dogs have also been awarded gold badges - Bonnie in 1991and Endal in 2003.

Her mum Linda said: "Lauren is very proud and excited to have received this badge, and says its a real honour, that people think she is special when she is only doing what she considers normal."

"Lauren wants to meet the Queen now and compare badges as she has one also, as does David Beckham, Lewis Hamilton, and JK Rowling."