MANCHESTER Arena bombing survivor Freya Lewis has received a major accolade to recognise her bravery.

Freya, 15, who was only three metres from the bomber, is the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons 2018 overall hero.

Freya, a student at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, received her award from another terrorist attack hero, PC Wayne Marques, at a ceremony at The Army and Navy Club in Pall Mall, London.

On May 22, 2017 Freya was seriously injured when the blast ripped through Manchester Arena at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.

Two weeks later PC Marques was stabbed nine times, once in the head, by terrorists who killed civilians on London Bridge.

PC Marques won a bravery award at last year’s Amplifon awards, and last week was presented with the George Medal by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

Freya also won the Young Hero award and a £1,000 trip to Italy.

She said: “I am extremely overwhelmed by winning the two Amplifon awards. It’s crazy because all the time I just feel like a normal girl from Cheshire.

“I feel so privileged to have won in a room of such special people. To be a finalist was exciting but now to win the overall award I feel really honoured.”

Freya, who suffered 29 injuries in the bomb blast and has undergone 70 hours of surgery, attended the ceremony with her dad Nick and sister Georgia.

Her mum Alison, who is recovering from an operation, watched on Facebook Live.

Freya, who dreams of becoming an actress, said: “I am shocked because all of the finalists were so amazing.”

PC Marques said: “Freya is a young person who encompasses all of what the Amplifon Awards for Brave Britons represent.

“She overcame all adversities to make an indelible and motivating stamp on the whole nation. She is someone who even the great and good are in awe of when they meet her.

“Freya has shown the fight of good over evil will always triumph. She is an inspiration to the nation.”

The judges said: “Freya showed not only heart-rendering bravery, but a determination to demonstrate that anything suffered in adversity is surmountable when you assume the positive attitude she possesses in abundance.”

Freya’s best friend Nell Jones, also 14, died at the scene of the Arena bombing, and 21 others were also killed. More than a hundred were injured.

Freya’s injuries included a broken arm, two broken legs, severe burns, facial and internal injuries.

There wasn’t any part of her body that hadn’t suffered the effects of the shrapnel.

Twelve months later she took part in the Great Manchester 2.5km Junior Run while her dad Nick, 52, ran the Great Manchester Run. Between them they have now raised almost £60,000 for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Freya has also become an ambassador for the NHS initially addressing 2,500 distinguished guests at the NHS’s 70th birthday celebrations in Westminster Abbey with a speech which earned rapturous applause after she told how the NHS care had saved her life.

Since then she has attended other seminars and talks and has also become an Ambassador for the High Sheriff of Manchester.

Freya’s dad Nick said: “Freya is a very special daughter and she is thrilled at receiving the award. It is a remarkable achievement for her and as a family we are so proud.”

The Amplifon awards were set up in honour of Amplifon’s founder, Second World War Hero Major Charles Holland, who was awarded the MBE, the Military Cross and the Bronze Star for his remarkable acts of courage.