Two siblings who lost their father to a brain tumour are starring in a charity campaign to help find a cure for the disease.

Daniel and Layla Hetherington from Woodford Green donned hats to become the faces of the Brain Tumour Research charity's Wear a Hat Day campaign ahead of the national fundraising event on March 29.

The brother and sister can bee seen in advertising on the London Underground from February 25 and at National Rail stations across the country.

Their dad, David Hetherington was diagnosed with a low-grade oligoastrocytoma brain tumour when his wife Shaz was 31 weeks pregnant with Lala.

He underwent chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy to arrest the growth of the tumour which changed to an aggressive grade 4 glioblastoma over time.

He passed away aged 39 in November 2016 when Layla and Daniel were aged four and two.

Shaz went on to set up a fundraising group called Power of David under the umbrella of Brain Tumour Research.

She said: "I’m delighted that Layla and Daniel are a part of this campaign and they are so excited to see their faces on the Underground.

"Like me, they are dedicated to making a difference in David’s name and this has been the perfect opportunity for them to help raise awareness. I hope one day when they’re older, they will look back on these photos and know that they contributed towards a cure for this awful disease.

Daniel and Layla are among a handful of children participating in the campaign - all of whom are children that have either been bereaved by a brain tumour, are living with or have a close family member who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

The children aged up to 13 are donning their best headwear from beanies to cowboy hats, trilbies to Panamas, baseball caps to novelty headpieces.

The Wear a Hat Day this year marks its tenth year.

The fundraising event has been backed by supermodel, businesswoman and brain tumour survivor Caprice who underwent surgery two years ago to remove a meningioma brain tumour.

Also supporting this year’s fundraiser is Strictly Come Dancing finalist Debbie McGee who lost her superstar magician husband Paul Daniels to the disease three years ago.

Corporate supporters for the event include Specsavers, Hobbycraft, and Venture Studios, which has worked with families across the UK who have been affected by brain tumours to create the portraits used in the campaign.

Hundreds of schools, workplaces and individuals are due to take part in the event by donning hats of their choice and holding hat-themed fundraising events in support of Brain Tumour Research.

Brain Tumour Research chief executive Sue Farrington Smith said: "We are extremely grateful to Layla and Daniel for helping us to launch Wear A Hat Day 2019. I know that people will be both distressed and inspired to hear the stories of all of these families who, like my own, know the pain of a brain tumour diagnosis.

"We are entirely committed to easing this pain by improving treatment options for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet, historically, just 1 per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease; Brain Tumour Research is proud to be changing this.

"The sad truth is that brain tumours are indiscriminate and can affect anyone at any age and this means the impact on families is enormous. Too many children are losing siblings, parents and grandparents, too many parents are enduring the agony of their child’s diagnosis, and society as a whole continues to bear the burden of increased costs through the NHS, lost taxes, and demands on the benefits system."

Wear A Hat Day has raised more than a million pounds since Brain Tumour Research was launched 10 years ago and is the culmination of Brain Tumour Awareness month in March.

Funds raised will develop the charity’s network of world-class brain tumour research centres in the UK where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.

To get involved, or donate, visit: www.wearahatday.org or text HAT to 70660 to donate £5.