PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have pledged their support to a Port schoolgirl fighting to raise awareness of inflammatory bowel disease.

Erin Stuart, who suffers from Crohn's, was ecstatic to receive a special letter and photo from the royal couple.

The 12-year-old, who is midway through her first year at St Stephen's High, penned a letter to the royal couple back in May asking them for help.

She was blown away when she received her 'royal mail'.

Erin, of Golf Drive, said: "It was very exciting to receive the letter.

"They congratulated me for raising over £5,000 for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK and for climbing Ben Nevis - they said it's a wonderful achievement.

"They also wished me future success."

The letter from Prince Harry and Meghan, sent on their behalf by Claudia Spens, the head of general correspondence, said: "The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked me to thank you for that thoughtful letter you recently sent in which you wrote about IBD Day.

"Their Royal Highnesses were very impressed to hear that you have raised over £5,000 to help combat this cruel disease and congratulate you on climbing Ben Nevis, a huge challenge for anyone to overcome.

"I do hope you were able to watch the wedding and join in the celebrations, and I am pleased to enclose a photograph from the day, especially for you.

"The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked me to send you their warmest thanks and very best wishes for the future."

Erin's mum Marie said she is so proud of her daughter.

She said: "I'm absolutely delighted and over-the-moon for her.

"Obviously when you send a letter you never know if you're going to get a reply.

"Every week after she sent it she kept asking if any letters had come through the door and as time went on she became a bit disheartened.

"So she was absolutely over-the-moon to receive the letter."

The inspirational youngster has raised over £5,000 for the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK with the help of her mum, dad Gordon and her siblings Jack, 16, Louie, seven and her sister Hannah, four.

As well as her royal letter, Erin, a keen footballer at Port Glasgow Juniors Girls, was also recently presented with the 'most club minded' award at the club's awards night.

Since starting high school in the summer, Erin has worked hard to raise awareness of inflammatory bowel disease.

Erin said: "In English I had to do a talk so I chose to do it about IBD.

"I think my teacher was impressed."