A £5,000 appeal to send Barnoldswick toddler Elle-Mai Laithwaite for treatment at a special centre in Wales has got off to a flying start.

Elle-Mai, aged two, suffers from cerebral palsy and her family is desperately hoping that the six-week stay at the Chance Institute in Cardiff will improve her health and mobility.

The appeal, launched just five weeks ago, is already more than half way to its target.

Tomorrow (Friday) Pendle's new Mayor, Mohammed Iqbal, is hosting a social get-together at Barnoldswick Civic Hall to further boost the funding.

Coun Iqbal said: "I hope that the event will raise a sizeable amount of money to go towards this appeal.

"Elle-Mai needs this treatment and I hope that local people will come along, enjoy the food and company, all for a good cause. I look forward to seeing you there."

Elle-Mai's mother Kathryn Whittle said that the community had taken the toddler to their hearts.

"The response has been absolutely fantastic. We are over the moon. She needs this treatment so much," she said.

"I'm not expecting miracles, but she might be able to sit unaided and learn to walk with two sticks."

Kathryn, 23, who lives with her partner, factory worker Ian Laithwaite in Green Bank, Barnoldswick, has another daughter, Eanna, aged seven months.

She said that Elle-Mai currently attended a centre in Chorley for treatment, but that the Chance Institute would also help her chronic lung disease by strengthening her chest muscles.

Kathryn said many businesses in the area had put out collecting tins for the appeal. People were also holding bric-a-brac sales, and a reunion at Walton High School in Nelson had raised £300.

She added that Ellie-Mai would be starting her stay at the Chance Institute in July.