"YOUR mother lives on in you," were the emotional words said by Sharon Osbourne at a national awards ceremony to the family of the Swansea mother and daughter killed in a blaze at their home.

The former X Factor judge made the tearful address as she presented a News of the World Children's Champions trophy to the three sons of Michelle Thomas, who died when fire swept through their home in Gwent Gardens, Townhill, in September.

The trophy was a posthumous award to Mrs Thomas after she made sure her sons got out of the house and ran back in to try to rescue four-year-old Courtney.

Husband Kevin and sons Jason, aged 16, Hayden, aged 13, and Jordan, aged 10, were at the star-studded event in London to receive the bravery award on their mother's behalf. There was not a dry-eye in the house as the stars heard about the blaze that cruelly tore their family apart.

Host Amanda Holden was reduced to tears as Sharon Osbourne presented the boys with the trophy. She said: "Michelle has lovely children. I was proud to honour her."

TV presenter and new mum Kirsty Gallacher said: "I was sitting on the table with the Thomas boys. I was in absolute pieces. I looked over at Louise Redknapp and I knew she was feeling exactly like me."

The boys also attended 10 Downing Street for a reception with Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah to receive personally signed framed certificates.

Leave your Lasting Tribute to Michelle Thomas and Courtney 

They then had a private visit to meet Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace as well as taking in some of the capital's sights including the London Eye and London Aquarium.

Jason said of 32-year-old Mrs Thomas: "She was a brilliant mum, and what she did that day summed her up. For her to win an award really means everything to us."

And the mum-of-four's bravery was mirrored by the community of Swansea who donated items of clothing, furniture, toys and money to the family through the Post's special appeal.

laura.davies@swwmedia.co.uk