A LITTLE girl has celebrated a special milestone - the second birthday she was never expected to reach.

Only nine months after losing her hands when she contracted meningitis, Tilly Lockey celebrated a joint birthday party with four-year-old sister, Tia.

In January, parents Sarah and Adam were told that Tilley had little chance of surviving the illness.

But she is making a remarkable recovery and celebrated her birthday at the weekend with a party in the village hall near her home in Delves Lane, near Consett, County Durham.

Mother Sarah, 28, said: "We are just ecstatic that she's still here with us. It's been an incredible year.

"There have some devastating lows but some real highs too.

"Just to have Tilly here, and to see how kind and generous people have been, is still so touching.

"As she gets older, she understands more. She turned round and said to me the other day, 'Mummy, I want hands'.

"It breaks my heart, but now I know we can help her, thanks to everyone who has donated. It has been a hellish few months."