TWO "superstar" boys from Barrow who support their brother as he lives with an extremely rare condition have been nominated to be Christmas Stars.

Keelam Smith, 13, and Ashton Phillipson, five, have been put forward for the honour of having their Christmas dreams come true in the annual Evening Mail and Heath's competition.

READ MORE: Search begins to find inspirational children to be our Christmas Stars

The festive search finds inspirational and kind children living in south Cumbria worthy of a visit from Santa and lots of gifts.

Keelam and Ashton look after and care for their brother, Taylor Smith, who, at the age of 11, has Niemann-Pick disease Type C, a genetic condition known as 'childhood Alzheimer's' which affects the brain and mobility.

The two brothers have always been there for Taylor and support him everyday, helping him with his wheelchair, spending time with him and having fun together.

'Born superstars'

The brothers were nominated as Christmas Stars by their auntie Paula O'Hara who said she was immensely proud of them both for all they do for Taylor.

She said: "I would like to nominate both my nephews Keelan Smith and Ashton Phillipson to receive this award as they are a true inspiration to many. Their brother Taylor is suffering from a rare but fatal disease which is Niemann-Pick.

"Not only is this disease affecting their brother but it's affecting them on a daily basis as they are watching their brother deteriorate.

"They also help Taylor and know what to do when he has seizures.

"Ashton has to sleep with his brother as he says he might have a seizure in the night and he can help him.

"These boys well and truly deserve this as they need something to make them smile and to know that we appreciate having them in our lives and, as an auntie, I'm truly blessed to call them my nephews.

"Born superstars who deserve this moment."

Taylor recently had the honour of turning on Barrow's Christmas lights after a special ceremony outside Barrow Town Hall on Saturday November 19.

He was picked after being nominated in a separate Evening Mail search for a 'Switch-on Star'.

The community has also rallied to support Taylor this year by raising more than £2,600 to upgrade his wheelchair to a bigger and more comfortable model.

How to nominate

Christmas Stars is sponsored by Heath's in Dalton Road, Barrow. Children can be nominated for courage or kindness and be up to the age of 13.

Nominations will close on Friday December 16.

*Nominated children are featured in the Evening Mail in the run up to the Christmas Stars being selected.