When four-year-old Danielle Skilbeck walks down the aisle as a bridesmaid at her mum's wedding, it will be a major achievement.

For she will be walking on two artificial legs, after losing them to meningitis. Her mum, Lindsay Pollard has even postponed her wedding until her daughter can make the journey.

Lindsay is now raising cash to buy Danielle a pair of artificial legs - similar to the limb fitted to former Beatle Paul McCartney's wife, Heather Mills. But the youngster faces surgery to lose her fingertips and possibly her kneecaps.

Danielle, of Hollin Gate, Otley, was left fighting for her life after contracting meningitis last month. She had to have her legs amputated below the knee after the blood flow to her limbs was cut off.

The youngster, due to start primary school in September, must undergo skin grafts which have to heal before she can be fitted with prosthetic legs.

Lindsay, 20, who was thrilled to receive a message of support from Heather Mills after the model and anti-land mine campaigner heard about Danielle's plight, now hopes to have her daughter home from St James's Hospital, Leeds in time for Christmas.

She said: "She's being very brave and is coping with it all a lot better than me. She's obviously very upset about her legs but she loves Barbie and she's concentrating on the fact that one day she'll have plastic legs just like Barbie."

She added: "I'm determined that she will be my bridesmaid and we've postponed the wedding day until she's well enough.'' Lindsay said they were aiming to raise thousands to fund improvements to their new home in Weston Park View. She, her fiance 18-year-old Chris Barker, Danielle and her 18-month-old daughter Tia Skilbeck hope to move in soon.

Anyone wanting to help can contact Lindsay on 0790 449 7679.