A NORTH-EAST toddler left severely disabled by meningitis can at last hold hands with her mother.

Three-year-old Tilly Lockey cheated death when she was struck down by a virulent strain of the blood disorder in 2007.

Doctors from Newcastle General Hospital, however, could not save the toddler’s hands and toes and were forced to amputate.

Her family, from Tow Law, County Durham, have since fought hard to give Tilly the best by raising funds to buy her prosthetic hands.

They can now look on in amazement as the brave youngster plays with sisters Tia, five, and Lucy- Anna, one, like any other happy child.

She has a particularly close bond with older sister Tia whose hands were used by specialists at clinic Dorset Orthopaedic as a model.

Mother Sarah Lockey, 29, said: “They made casts of her hands and took pictures to copy the colouring and finger nails.

“That was a big thing for Tia because she felt like she helped her little sister.”

The £23,000 myo-electronic hands respond to Tilly’s muscles, enabling her to do things she would struggle with before.

“She can play in a play park now, she doesn’t have to stand watching other kids enjoying themselves,”

said Mrs Lockey.

“She can hold a knife and fork and feed herself. She can hold a pen and write her name.

“It’s amazing.”

Particularly special for By Rachel Wearmouth rachel.wearmouth@nne.co.uk Mrs Lockey and husband Adam, 28, is being able to hold their daughter’s hand.

Mrs Lockey said: “I took her to buy some sweets from the shop and she held my hand along the street. I could feel her tighten her little fingers round my hand.

“It was a huge moment.”

Tilly has never been short of celebrity supporters, but now among them is former model Heather Mills.

Tilly met Ms Mills, whose leg was amputated at Dorset Orthopaedic following an accident. She also had her limbs made by the rehabilitation company.

“It was great to speak to her as she has gone through the same thing,”

said Mrs Lockey.

“She made it easy for Tilly to understand things come off and she took off her leg to show her. She was really down-to-earth and said if we had any questions we could call her.”

Tilly’s hands need to be replaced once a year and the family continue to hold fundraising events.

For more information, visit tillylockey.co.uk