J K Rowling, creator of Harry Potter, will tomorrow pay tribute to a brave little boy from the North-East who touched her heart.

The author will be in London to mark this year's Child of Achievement Awards.

As well as the youngsters who can attend, she will be sparing a thought for one little boy who, sadly, could not be there.

Heart transplant patient Peter Jones had hoped to meet Ms Rowling at the glittering ceremony held in the Grand Ballroom, at London's Hilton Hotel.

But he died only days after receiving the news that he had been nominated.

And the brave youngster, from Sunderland, was buried wearing the Child of Achievement badge of which he was so proud.

Last night, as the region's other courageous children gathered for the ceremony, Peter's mother Debra said: "He was a wonderful, wonderful son - a real fighter."