BORN 14 weeks premature and weighing only 1lb 7oz, specialists feared the worst for Lisa Carter.

She was christened after three days in hospital and her parents were told she may never walk or talk.

Clinging to life in an incubator, her body's skin was so thin that her heart could be seen beating underneath.

After an agonising wait for her parents Barry and Carol, the courageous Darlington youngster pulled through, but worse was to follow.

Aged only a few weeks, a haemangioma, a benign tumour made up of blood vessels, which had been developing on the left side of Lisa's body, burst.

It was one of the first such cases in the country, causing her to lose half her body's blood in 30 seconds.

But she survived and a laser treatment operation in Newcastle was used to heal the "crater-like" wound.

Today, aged seven, bubbly Lisa shows no signs of being deterred by her disabilities and such a traumatic start to her life.

And things are now looking even better after a double boost for her family.

Despite objections, councillors have approved plans to build a garden room for Lisa at her home in Cardinal Gardens, and the charity Dreams Come True has supplied her with an adapted tricycle.

Mr Carter said: "It was just a nightmare to start with - every day we went into the hospital and we did not know if she was still going to be with us.

"But now she stays cheerful through everything, the resilience of her is amazing. They said she would never be able to do the things she is doing now."

Lisa has just started at Beaumont Hill School, in Darlington, and is now able to walk short distances unaided and is picking up more and more words.

She still has brain bleeds and has suffered pneumonia several times.

But work is due to begin shortly on the garden room, which the family hopes will make life more comfortable for Lisa.

Mr Carter said: "We have to thank the council and Darlington Association on Disability. She is a fantastic girl and she has always defied the odds."