LITTLE Jessica Reynolds is looking forward to her best ever Christmas after recovering from an illness that left her entire body paralysed.

As the blonde seven-year-old skips excitedly around her home, it is hard to believe that, just 12 months ago, she was in a wheelchair.

Her parents Diane, 35, and Nigel, 30, were told she was lucky to be alive and may never walk again.

But Jessica has defied the odds and medical opinion to make an amazing recovery.

This Christmas, to her parents' astonishment, she is learning karate and has already achieved her yellow belt.

Jessica was struck down three years ago with what her mother thought was a bladder infection.

But after their GP checked for all the common childhood diseases, Jessica, of Thornaby, Teesside, was sent for a scan.

Doctors at Newcastle General Hospital discovered a tumour on her spine.

As a result, the once active little girl found herself unable to move a muscle and trapped in a paralysed body.

The only solution was a high- risk operation that had never been carried out on a child before in this country.

Jessica's parents were told that, even if they agreed to the eight-hour operation, the youngster's chances of walking again were slight.

She recovered with amazing speed from the surgery to remove the growth, and this year has been learning to walk again. Following the operation, the cancer is now is remission.

Diane, 35, said: "I am so proud of Jessica.

"This Christmas will be the best we have ever had, because she is back to being the little girl she was before.

"I never thought we would enjoy a family Christmas again with our little girl fit and well."

"What she has achieved is nothing short of a miracle and I feel so proud to say she is my little girl."

A spokeswoman for Newcastle General Hospital said: "Jessica has been a very brave little girl and we are delighted at how well she has done."