FOUL-MOUTHED rapper Eminem has helped to bring a critically ill 12-year-old girl out of a coma.

Dione Armstrong had been unconscious for 11 days after a road accident and was breathing with the aid of a life support machine.

In desperation, Dione's mother, Karen, decided to play tracks from her daughter's favourite album, Eminem's Marshall Mathers LP. She even played them through headphones to avoid exposing the rest of the intensive care patients to the rapper's expletive-riddled lyrics.

Almost immediately, Dione's eyes flickered and she made her first movement - extending her index and little fingers to imitate the star's trademark hand jab.

Dione is now off the critical list and out of intensive care.

Karen, of Cramlington, Northumberland, said: "Eminem is helping to save her life. His music is bringing her round.

"The minute I put on that music she started moving her hands to it. It was incredible.

"I knew it had to be worth a try and I brought in the album in the hope it would have some effect."

Dione was taken to Newcastle General Hospital after the accident on the A189, at Cramlington, two weeks ago. She was in a collision with a car as she and her friend, Lauren Watson, 13, crossed the busy dual carriageway.

Karen said: "Dione still hasn't spoken and we are watching and waiting to see how she continues to improve."