Battling Danielle takes her first steps

Nine months ago, little Danielle Skilbeck, of Otley, was in a critical condition and doctors at St James's Hospital, Leeds, were forced to amputate the lower half of her arms and legs.

Now she has learnt to walk again using prosthetic legs.

Until recently the five-year-old needed to be supported when she used them, but now her mum, Lindsay Pollard, says that when she starts she cannot stop.

"Because the knee joints don't lock, when she starts walking she just keeps going and she now has to learn how to stop," she said.

"She likes to wear them now, which is great. She used to get upset at first."

She added: "I am really proud of her. She has done really well."

Danielle had to have the lower half of her legs and arms amputated after contracting meningococcal septicaemia last July.

She was kept in hospital for five months before doctors gave her the all-clear.

Finally life is getting back to normal for her. She has joined her friends at Ashfield Primary School and learning to walk was the last step to completing her recovery.

She has also been given some imitation hands to enable her to join her classmates in learning to count.

But Danielle's hands are getting special treatment because she takes them for a makeover.

Lindsay said: "She has got some gloves with hands on them. They are purely cosmetic, but she likes going to Tan and Nails in Otley to have her nails done.

"They are great for her at school. She can now use her own fingers to count with. Before, she had to borrow someone else's.

"She is getting more confident and she can do everything for herself now. She can get in and out of bed, use the toilet, feed herself and get dressed. She is really independent."

Danielle was rushed to hospital after Lindsay discovered a rash on her arms, tummy and face and she was admitted to intensive care.

The blood poisoning from the deadly strain of meningitis which she had contracted led to her limbs being amputated.