BRAVE Sophie Brown is today following in the footsteps of her inspirational grandfather as she prepares to start the next chapter in her life.

The beaming teenager is celebrating achieving the grades required to secure her a place on her dream course at Nottingham University.

Smiling Sophie said her results had paved the way for her to follow in the path of her grandfather, Trevor Brown, and train to become a lawyer.

It has been a memorable year for the 18-year-old – she has completed her final instalment of chemotherapy after overcoming cancer, finished sixth form at St Joseph’s College and is now preparing for higher education.

Despite being diagnosed with leukaemia at just 15, Sophie has succeeded in overcoming the odds to achieve two As and a B.

“My granddad was a lawyer in Paris and I have wanted to do it since I was little,” she said.

“He died from a brain tumour in 2006 aged 68 when I was about 11 or 12 and now that I have been through a similar thing I think I am almost following in his footsteps.

“I would like to think I am finishing off what he started.

“I’m so happy with my results and I’m so excited to be going off to university. I think in a way it will be very good for me to leave Ipswich because I have bad memories of when I was going through my treatment. I like the idea of going somewhere to start completely afresh.

“I have noticed a massive difference in myself since completing treatment, I have energy and I actually want to go out and do things.”

Sophie, of Roundwood Road, first appeared in The Star after being diagnosed with leukaemia in November 2009.

Despite the impact the disease has had on her life, Sophie is adamant that she wouldn’t change a thing.

“If I can help someone else going through the same thing in some way, then surely it is worth everything.

“In the long run, helping someone else through showing how I have overcome my cancer is worth so much more than university.

“I wouldn’t change it. I am a stronger person through having cancer – I was determined not to let it beat me.

“Things would have worked out differently if I hadn’t been diagnosed. My life is completely perfect as it is and I am so happy.”

She thanked her family and pals, including best friend Phoebe Walters, for being there throughout her battle.