A NORTHWICH girl battling a brain tumour had her dreams come true when she got the chance to meet her favourite boy band – One Direction.

Eight-year-old Emilie Dean-Dennis from Lostock Green was given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet her musical idols after band member Niall Horan donated a VIP dinner and backstage passes for their London show to Make a Wish Foundation.

Emilie’s dad, 37-year-old Phil said: “When Make a Wish phoned us to tell us Emilie just burst into tears - she absolutely loves One Direction.

“It turns out that Niall had donated the prize to rugby player Brian O’Driscoll. He holds these big testimonial dinners in London to raise money for injured players and auctions off prizes – Niall said he could auction off dinner with him and tickets to a gig, something that ended up being won by Bono from U2. Bono phoned up Make a Wish the next day to say he had a gift for them, and then they phoned us.”

Emilie, Phil, mum Victoria and 22-month-old brother James spent four hours with the band before their April 1 gig, and even got the chance to meet another musical favourite – JLS.

“We were taken backstage and met all of the bands as they prepared for the gig and we got to see the sound check – Emilie was able to go up on stage with Niall.

“Niall kept going off when we were him to see some friends. He asked us if they could have dinner with us and when they showed up it was JLS.”

After meeting Niall, Harry, Zayn, Liam and Louis in London, the Dean family were given a second chance at what most people can only dream of – meeting the band again in Manchester.

“When Niall found out that I wasn’t go to the show in London because I had to look after James he got his PA to get us tickets for the Manchester show on April 19,” explained Phil.

“When we got there we phoned his PA and she came and took us to them straight away.

“It was such a fantastic experience – Emilie really enjoyed it.

“Niall even gave her his plectrum which is something she can keep forever.”

The Lower Peover School pupil was diagnosed with the life-changing tumour in October.

Since then, the brave youngster has been kept smiling by the love and support of her family.

Mum Victoria, 36, said: “Emilie will be having chemotherapy until February but she’s back at school now most days.

“It’s going to be a long year but we are all in high spirits.

“She’s such a brave girl – she’s always smiling.

“When somebody does something like this for you it makes the bad times good.”

Phil added: “We just want to be able to give her as much stuff to look forward to as possible.

If you would like to donate to Emilie, email emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk