A Northallerton youngster struck down by a deadly mystery illness is winging her way to the North Pole this weekend for the trip of her dreams.

Rosie Henry, aged four, of Grassington Avenue, Romanby, won't have to post her Christmas list this year - she can give it to Santa directly when she meets him in Lapland.

The trip was arranged by charity When You Wish Upon A Star, which aims to provide the trip of a lifetime for terminally ill children.

Rosie was put forward for the Lapland visit by daycare staff at the Martin House hospice in Boston Spa, near Wetherby. "We made a wish for Rosie and it has come true," said mother Mrs Diane Henry, who flies out with her daughter from Leeds-Bradford airport on Sunday.

"She loves Christmas - we have decorated the house from top to bottom this year - she is so excited and really looking forward to going. She wants to go now!"

Doctors are baffled by Rosie's condition, which affects her movement, speech and eating and is gradually getting worse. She was struck down by the unknown neurological disorder in November last year, but remains determined to be as independent as possible.

Mrs Henry and husband Richard, a firefighter based in Northallerton, have set up a charity to raise cash for the specialist equipment Rosie needs.

She has already received a specially-designed trike from the Northallerton amateur variety company and has an electric wheelchair, but the family is keen to raise more funds in order to meet Rosie's future needs as her condition worsens.

Anyone interested in donating cash or organising fundraising events should write to: The Rosie Henry Trust Fund, 17 Grassington Avenue, Northallerton DL7 8SY or e-mail richardanddianehenry r Mr & Mrs G G