A YOUNGSTER who weighed just 1lb 10ozs at birth has beaten the odds to lead an active life.

Felicity Kitchen - or Flissie as she is sometimes known - smiles through all that has been thrown at her.

She was born at 31 weeks, had to have dialysis at two days old and underwent heart surgery at four weeks.

Even now, unable to maintain her body weight, she has to be fed through a tube. She faces more surgery over the years.

A pupil at Polam Hall Junior School, Darlington, Felicity is a member of Rainbow Brownies and also enjoys ballet and tap dancing.

Her mother, Vicky Cloud, of Ingleby Barwick, Teesside, said last night: "At a year old, she was only ten lbs and doctors did not expect her to live. Yet, here she is at six years old.

"She is a very, very brave little girl and will help anybody out."

Felicity was nominated by her teacher, Melanie Ord, who said she had never met anybody like her.

She was very positive and kind and her award was very much deserved