A little girl who was born with a rare illness has enjoyed her first ever birthday party.

Brianie Copeland Donnelly, who turned nine yesterday, had previously been unable to have a party because of her condition, which made her allergic to almost everything

When she was four years old, Brianie had to spend every minute of the day wrapped in bandages.

She was born with atopic eczema and soboric dermatitis and could not leave her house, had to be covered in cream and bathed twice a day.

Over the last five years her mother Pamela has been building up her tolerance to the things most people take for granted but would have previously caused her skin to blister.

Brianie has asthma as well as multiple skin and food allergies and her eyes swell up if she comes into contact with animals, cosmetics or eggs.

But now she is beating her grass allergy and is able to play in the garden with her six brothers and sisters at their Ushaw Moor home and goes to the village's St Joseph Primary School.

Brianie went shopping yesterday to spend the £100 she got for her birthday on clothes.

For her birthday she got chocolates and sweets and had a party with family and friends on Saturday.

Mrs Donnelly said: "It was her first ever party because she has never been well enough in the past.

"It was a case of not letting a lot of people near her at the same time because she would just become ill.

"But she really wanted a party this year so I had to step back. I couldn't say no.

"She will have to make decisions for herself at some point in her life so I let her make this one and it has been fine."

Brianie said "I am feeling a lot better than I used to. One of my favourite things I can do now is play outside and roll around on the grass.

"I have had really good day and I am enjoying just drawing pictures of smiley faces."