A BRAVE six-year-old dubbed "Iron Man's apprentice" was handed a special award for battling two major heart operations.

Kyle Miller, from Lancaster Close in Bicester, was born with a rare heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot, which affects just one in every 3,600 babies.

At just six months the youngsters faced his first major heart operation to repair a hole in his heart and then last year had another to replace valve.

Since then, the Glory Farm Primary School pupil has raised thousands of pounds for the charities that helped him, including the British Heart Foundation.

The national heart disease charity was so impressed it recently gave Kyle the Fighting Spirit award for his bravery and impressive fundraising efforts.

Kyle said: "I felt so happy receiving my award. I would like to thank Mummy, Daddy, my brother Leyton, Auntie Maddi, Auntie Charlotte, Uncle Matty, Nanna and Grandad for being there while I received my award and their continued support."

His family cried with joy as Kyle accepted his glass trophy at the British Heart Foundation Heart Hero Awards ceremony in Birmingham, having been recognised for his fighting spirits among hundreds from the South East.

Mum Mikyla Butler, 28, said: "I am just so proud of Kyle, and all his family were at the ceremony to see him get his award.

"They spoke about all the things he has been going through and it has been such an ordeal he has had to face.

"When they announced he had won his face just lit up.

"It is great that he has got something to keep and I am just so proud of everything he has achieved."

The youngster was nominated for the award by his auntie Maddie Butler.

She said: "My nephew now believes he is Iron Man’s apprentice, as this is how he associates his poorly heart.

"Like Iron Man– who has his heart fixed in the movie – Kyle believes his heart has to be recharged to gain his super strength back, which he has done amazingly.

"We decided to raise money by doing charity events such as cupcake sales, 10K runs, family fun days, charity quiz nights and so far in a team of about 10 of us I believe we have raised nearly £4,000.

"This is more than we ever thought we could raise, and in less than a year, and has been great team effort from everyone involved with Kyles fundraising."

Kyle will continue to have regular check-ups as his heart is currently enlarged on one side, and he faces more operations before his teenage years.

But mum Miss Butler said although he finds it hard, the youngster is "incredibly brave" and has a great deal of support from his family including dad Anthony Miller and four-year-old brother Lleyton.

If you wish to donate, please visit justgiving.com/fundraising/Kylesstoryfixmyheart15