A DISFIGURED baby who was at the centre of a legal row over her treatment has left hospital and is extremely well, her family said last night.

Maria Rafi, who was born with half a face, was the subject of court proceedings after her parents, Suzanne Taylor and Aziz Rafi, disagreed with doctors and threatened to take her out of hospital.

Four-month-old Maria had been treated at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) and was at the centre of a row between the city's social services department, hospital officials and her relatives.

Her grandfather, John Taylor, said last night: "Maria is doing extremely well. Her parents are now making inquiries elsewhere for further treatment, including plastic surgery to her eye."

The authorities took legal action to win an interim care order to allow them to perform medical procedures they said were necessary for Maria, who was born with Goldenhar syndrome.

Last month, Maria's future was decided in the High Court, sitting in Leeds, when all parties agreed a plan.

If the authorities grow concerned about her welfare again, they could take proceedings straight to the High Court without having to go through a preliminary hearing before magistrates.

A hospital spokeswoman said Maria would no longer receive treatment at the RVI, and would probably be seen by specialists at Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London. She said: "The legal matter is now over as far as we are concerned."

Maria's father, Aziz Rafi, is a Saudi studying at Hallam University, Sheffield, for a masters degree, while her mother Suzanne, 25, grew up in the North-East