Rudheath schoolgirl creates Captain Sir Tom Moore figure to celebrate World Book Day

Mia Maddock, six, from Rudheath, has created the war veteran as her very own potato man to honour his extraordinary fundraising efforts for the NHS.

Mia has replicated Captain Sir Tom Moore's blazer, war medals and even his famous walking frame

Mia has replicated Captain Sir Tom Moore's blazer, war medals and even his famous walking frame

The retired Army officer raised almost £33 million for NHS charities by walking 100 laps of his garden in the run up to his 100th birthday.

The Rudheath Primary School pupil spent ages meticulously painting a potato replica of the Captain, wearing his smart blazer and war medals and even copied his famous walking frame.

Mia's dad James, 32, said: "The children were asked to pick their own character from a book and create it from a potato.

"I am reading Captain Tom's autobiography and have been reading it to Mia for her homework.

"She said to me: 'Can I do Captain Tom, he helped the nurses'."

Mia was inspired to create a special potato man to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore

Mia was inspired to create a special potato man to honour Captain Sir Tom Moore

Mia was very inspired by Captain Tom's upbeat optimism saying 'Tomorrow will be a good day', the title of his autobiography.

"Mia has seen him on the telly and the news walking round his garden," said James. "She is very caring. When she sees Comic Relief and Red Nose Day, she always wants to give her pocket money. And when she spots collection boxes in shops she is always putting her money in them."

Mia's parents are both key workers.

James is a despatch worker at Roberts Bakery and her mum Susan Evans is a mental health support worker in Castle.

Mia's sister Lucy, two, has also been captivated by her new potato character.

"Lucy was asking her if Captain Tom was Ok as they sat together eating breakfast before school," said James. "It's like having a grandad living here. Mia is talking to him all the time and taking him for a walk.

"She is dead excited over it."

Captain Tom, who died last month, was knighted by the Queen in July in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle.

The war veteran was inspired to help the health service after receiving treatment for skin cancer of the head and a broken hip after a fall in 2018.