BRAVE Katie Meehan cannot wait to skip to school and play with her friends.

Because it is a day her mother Dawn thought she might never see.

Born with a deformed face, the four-year-old has endured a daily battle to live a normal life, while suffering the constant pain of cysts in her mouth.

Her mother thought she might even need to attend a special school because the cysts made it almost impossible for Katie to talk and fit in a mainstream school.

Then, last year, an appeal was launched to raise money so Katie could undergo surgery to improve her quality of life.

And, after lengthy surgery at Guy's Hospital, in London, her condition is being successfully treated.

Katie has had cysts in her mouth surgically removed, meaning she can talk and eat more easily.

Delighted Ms Meehan, 37, of Beaconside, South Shields, South Tyneside, said: "Before the operation Katie had to wear a bib and her speech was affected because of the size of her tongue.

"I feel sure she would have had to attend a special school without the help of everyone who has fundraised for her."

Katie faces more surgery next year to further reduce the size of her tongue and the side of her face. When she is 16, she will likely undergo more surgery on her jaw.

Ms Meehan said: 'Professor Ian Jackson at Guys wanted Katie to have more surgery now, but we've decided to wait until next year. Katie was quite traumatised by the last operation and we want her to settle into school before she undergoes the next one.