HANNAH Maxwell-Jones has arrived safely in the United States for the radical surgery that will give her a new life.

Little Hannah, from Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, was born with a severe facial disfigurement.

Her plight touched readers of The Northern Echo who helped raise an amazing £55,000 to cover the costs of what is expected to be a series of flights to America for surgery.

Within days of arriving at the Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock she will be operated on by Professor Milton Waner, a world-renowned surgeon who believes he can help repair her face.

Her mum Allison said: "We've arrived safely. Hannah has been given an incredible opportunity and I am going to make damn sure she takes it.

Unruffled by the fall-out from last week's terrorist attacks in America, Allison is focusing firmly on her daughter's future.

"I just keep thinking about the fantastic support I have had from people in the region, pubs, clubs, schools, churches and ordinary people, it has been incredible, I can't say thank you enough," she said.

People's expectations are high that surgery will quickly transform Hannah's face but Allison urges caution. She knows that it will take many operations to repair the damage caused by her facial haemangioma.

Even then, her daughter is still likely to be left with some disfigurement.

But the family have been encouraged by contact with the American hospital in the last few days.

"I've spoken to the nurses and they said they are really looking forward to meeting Hannah. Everything is scheduled to go ahead," Allison said.

As for Hannah; "She is absolutely fantastic, on top form."

Read more about Hannah here.