Taking part in your first dance competition would be a big day for any little girl.

But for three-year-old Hannah Maxwell-Jones, who was born with a terribly disfigured face, it was a particularly special landmark after surgery in the US.

Hannah's parents, Allison and Keith, were in the audience at the weekend as Hannah took to the stage at Langbaurgh Comprehensive School, in Middlesbrough.

Mrs Maxwell-Jones said: "I thought she might get stage fright. We were really proud."

Hannah has been doing ballet, tap and modern dance for 18 months at the Thornton Dance Academy.

Mrs Maxwell-Jones said: "She really enjoys it and she's now looking forward to the next competition."

After having three operations, the main programme of Hannah's surgery is almost complete.

Mrs Maxwell-Jones, an intensive care nurse at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, added: "Hannah will probably have another operation after Christmas and a fifth midway through next year. After those two operations, I won't be pushing for any more surgery."

Mrs Maxwell-Jones touched the hearts of thousands when she launched a fundraising appeal in The Northern Echo two years ago.

She had discovered that the only doctor who could help Hannah was plastic surgeon Professor Milton Waner, in Arkansas.