A PORT Glasgow teenager has been picked as a poster girl for a charity close to her heart.

Erin Stuart, who is battling inflammatory bowel disease, was asked to write a personal message inside packs of Christmas cards being sold across Britain to support Crohn's and Colitis UK.

The youngster who attends St Stephen's High School, was delighted to be asked to spread some festive cheer in support of the cause.

She said: "I think it's pretty cool.

"I think it's important for people to know about the condition.

"It isn't a well-known disease. It can be one that is hidden."

Erin's personal message inside the card reads: "You are amazing as buying and sending this Christmas card you are supporting and raising awareness to help people like me with Crohn's and Colitis.

"Thank you Erin."

Erin, 13, lives in Golf Drive, with her parents Marie and Gordon, both 41, brother Louie, eight, and Hannah, five.

She also has an older brother Jack, 17, who is working towards an apprenticeship away from home.

Marie said: "Erin was was delighted and absolutely over the moon to do the personal message and really honoured to have been asked."

Erin's condition is thankfully stable and the infusions she receives to reduce the inflammation has been shortened to every six weeks.

Marie said: "Her condition is under control and she is doing well at high school."

As well as football, Erin also enjoys breakdancing and would like to be a teacher or a member of the active schools team when she leaves high school.

She was also shortlisted for the Inverclyde Year of Young People Legacy Award for helping to raise awareness of her condition.

Marie said both she and Gordon are very proud of Erin's achievements and her willingness to talk about Crohn's.

She said: "We are both in awe of her. She has such great confidence and willingness to help others."

Erin is no stranger to the limelight and even asked members of the Royal family to back the campaign.

Last year she gave Provost Robert Moran a special purple pin to wear at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, which took place on World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day.

She also sent a letter to the couple to ask them to support charity Crohn's and Colitis UK.