A youngster recovering from meningitis has had all her fingers and thumbs removed.

Four-year-old Danielle Skil-beck, who has already had both of her lower legs amputated, also had both knee joints removed this week.

Danielle, from Otley, has been in hospital since contracting the deadly meningoccocal strain of the bug on July 20.

Her mum, Lindsay Pollard, 20, said: "She's doing really well, but she's just having to go through so much."

Meanwhile, Lindsay says she has been overwhelmed by the generosity of people in the town.

Money has flooded in both locally and across the country - after a national newspaper launched its own appeal. A carpet company has offered to carpet the family's new house and a fundraising event will be held next weekend in the town.

Otley mother Rachel Hunt is taking part in the Great Yorkshire Run to raise money for Danielle and cards from wellwishers have been sent from all over the country.

Lindsay, who is pregnant with her third child, Danielle, 15 month old Tia and Lindsay's fiance, Chris, have been given a new house by Leeds City Council in Weston Park View, Otley. But before they move in they need to make it safe and comfortable for Danielle for when she leaves hospital.

The house will need to be carpeted, because Danielle will spend much of her time crawling, and safety bars and handles will have to be fitted.

Although she will have a wheelchair, she will not be able to control it herself because she has no fingers.

l Otley poet Lila Mitchell has handed over £100 to Danielle.

Mrs Mitchell, who is about to celebrate her 90th birthday, was saving up to buy a typewriter, but changed her mind after reading about four-year-old Danielle in The Wharfedale Observer.

"I read in the paper about the fundraising day in Otley Market Place on September 15.

"That day is my birthday and I won't be able to go, but I wanted to give her the money I'd been saving up to buy a typewriter."

Mrs Mitchell has spent the last two weeks confined to bed with pneumonia, but plans to celebrate her birthday with children from Otley's Ingle-wood Home.

She added: "I really wanted to do something to help little Danielle. I think it's just so tragic."

l Donations can be left for Danielle at The Wharfedale Observer, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley.