A Crawley woman who was diagnosed with two brain tumours just a month after her dream wedding has won a national competition.

Natalie Corrigan, 53, has been supported by brain injury charity Headway East Sussex.

She took part in the charity's Hats for Headway Day competition and won herself afternoon tea for two at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

Hats for Headway Day challenges people to wear a wacky hat to raise money and awareness of brain injury.

Natalie donned her hat at Headway East Sussex's day centre in Newick.

In May 2016, doctors had been treating Natalie for neck and upper back pain when they decided to give her an MRI and discovered two benign brain tumours.

By November one of the tumours had expanded and had grown dangerously close to her optic nerve.

After having surgery to remove the growing tumour, Natalie was left struggling with comprehension, concentration, migraines, finding the right words and memory loss.

But Natalie says she couldn't be more grateful for the support she has received from Headway East Sussex.

"I feel blessed to be here," she said. "It's perfect for me. I really feel the benefits of being surrounded by people I can relate to. There are times when I have cried with joy at being here.

"It's great to be with people who understand me. It's a place where I can talk and have my voice heard. I'm never rushed or ignored and I can just be myself."

Natalie got involved with the charity's national Hats for Headway Day competition by creating a royal themed wedding hat, showing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle marrying in front of Windsor Castle, making them Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

"I'm over the moon to have won the competition. I was really excited about the royal wedding, and I wanted to create Windsor Castle because I've been there myself. I think they're a lovely couple, I wore my hat while we watched the royal wedding."

To find out more about Headway East Sussex call 01825 724323 or email info@headwayeastsussex.org.uk Headway – the UK’s leading brain injury charity – provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors, their families and carers, as well as to professionals in the health and legal fields. It has more than 100 groups and branches throughout the UK.