A NORTH-East girl who had meningitis as a baby has been given a 3D printed arm after a 12-year-old from America made one in an after-school project.

Eight-year-old Chloe Smith was thrilled when her new arm was delivered by Edward Whipple, who travelled from his home in Miami, Florida, to give her it in person.

Mam Rachel Smith, a children’s illustrator, said: “She’s really enjoying it. She wore it all day at school on Thursday and Friday and she’s been wearing it around the house.

“Edward is a really nice boy. I couldn’t believe what age he was.

“It was lovely that he brought it himself and she thought he was great.”

Ms Smith, who had tried to get a hand for Chloe several years ago, turned to social media for help in April.

Her tweet was seen by Willy Orozco, an engineering faculty member at Gulliver school in Miami, who decided to get in touch and then recruited Edward to help make the arm, which is designed so the hand will grip and close when Chloe bends her elbow.

Edward spent around 40 hours of his own time working on the arm, which was made using a 3D printer.

Ms Smith said: “At the time I looked for an arm they couldn’t do anything that would work for the elbow but ever since she kept asking me when her pink hand was coming.

“I had just started on Twitter and I had about nine followers but it was picked up by this college in Florida. I spoke to them and sent her measurements and Edward has done it. It’s amazing.”

The hand is designed to grip and close when Chloe bends her elbow, allowing her to grab objects with ease.

Mr Orozco said: “I am very proud of how focused Edward was on building this hand for Chloe.”

Chloe, who has already accessorised her new arm with unicorn stickers, is learning how to play the violin and her mother hopes it will help her learn new skills.

She said: “The septicaemia happened when she was three-months-old so she had adapted herself well over the years but for little bits this will be helpful. It will give her something extra.”

Edward told the BBC: “I’m glad that it works and I find it amazing that I’ve changed someone’s life by just by creating a small arm.”