THE mother of North-East schoolgirl Hope Elliott said she is "just happy she is home and safe" after the youngster endured an eight-hour operation on her face.

Five-year-old Hope, who suffers from a rare and disfiguring facial condition known as cystic lymphovenous malformation, is recovering at home in Sunderland with her parents, Peter and Bernadette.

The schoolgirl was operated on by world-famous surgeon Professor Ian Jackson on Friday night - after people in the region raised £212,000 towards the cost of surgery.

Prof Jackson became known to millions in the UK after a TV documentary showing how he rebuilt the face of a seriously disfigured Peruvian boy.

But Bernadette Elliott revealed that even Prof Jackson was daunted by the challenge presented by the Wearside youngster during surgery at the private Portland Hospital, in London.

Mrs Elliott said: "He told us it is one of the most difficult cases he has ever done. Hope's condition is very unusual."

During the operation, Prof Jackson removed a mass of soft tissue from the right side of Hope's face.

He is expected to carry out a similar operation on the left side later this year, possibly in August.

Mrs Elliott said she could already see a difference in Hope's face.

But after her ordeal in the operating theatre, the girl needs as much rest as possible.

"She isn't feeling too well at the moment," her mother added.

The original aim of the Hope for Hope Appeal was to raise £35,000, but the generosity of North-East people has amazed the family - with the figure exceeded many times over.

Any cash left over after Hope's treatment will be used to help other youngsters with facial malformations.