A Shrewsbury girl who has battled with leukaemia for nearly three years will present the Earl of Wessex with teddy bears for his two children when he opens the town’s new theatre.

Sophie Foxley, 10, will watch the opening performance of Romany Wood with her family before presenting the cuddly toys, which have been made by Merrythought in Telford and will bear the Theatre Severn logo.

Prince Edward will visit Shrewsbury on March 25 to perform the official opening ceremony at the £28 million theatre.

Today Lezley Picton, the borough’s cultural services manager, said: “We first met Sophie and her family when they came to see the pantomime at the Music Hall.

“They are a lovely family and Sophie is a very special girl.

“We wanted to present Prince Edward with something to give to his children from the theatre and are delighted that Sophie has agreed to present the teddy bears on our behalf.”

Sophie, of Bicton Heath, became known around the world for writing an online diary about her struggle with leukaemia.

Today her mum Jane Foxley said it was an honour for Sophie to present the gifts to the Prince for his children, James and Louise.

She said: “It will be really nice for her and we are really looking forward to it. We went to the theatre the other night and it is really nice.

“Sophie is really pleased and her face lit up when I asked if she wanted to do it. All five of us will be going to the performance. It is an honour.”