Christmas has come early for little Holly Clarke as business tycoon Sir Richard Branson has offered to fly her to the United States for pioneering treatment.

And the desperately-ill five-year-old's family has received a double festive gift as a date has been set for her to be assessed for test treatment in the US in February.

Holly is battling killer Batten's Disease, which leads to the progressive deterioration of the brain and nervous system causing seizures, blindness, loss of muscle co-ordination, mental problems and dementia.

She is losing her eyesight, cannot walk, and her speech is restricted to just a handful of words.

But today her parents, Darren and Shirelle, of Derwent Road, Bolton, were full of fresh hope as a long-awaited phone call from New York invited Holly to Cornell University's Weill Medical College in February to be assessed for the radical gene therapy.

Shirelle, 35, said: "Hopefully this will save Holly's life. Her life has been on hold waiting for this. This could stop the deterioration. We are looking to the future now rather than the end of the road. It's fantastic. Darren was shaking when he took the call from America. I was wondering what to get Holly for Christmas but I don't need to worry now. Giving her life is the best Christmas present and she deserves it."

Darren, 34, and Shirelle said Sir Richard's help would ease the financial burden of looking after Holly.

The Virgin mogul made the kind offer after a Virgin Atlantic air steward told him about Holly's plight.

Cabin crew were touched by Holly's bravery after she, her parents and ten-year-old brother Daniel, flew to Florida last month on board a Virgin Atlantic flight on a dream trip organised by the Make A Wish Foundation.

Mr Clarke said: "We're absolutely gob-smacked. It is something that you just never expect. For a man of his stature to have never met us but to offer to help is unbelievable and a fantastic gesture. It has really given us a lift.

"If the treatment is a success we will have to fly back to America three more times for further assessments so this will really help with finances."

During a week in New York, Holly will undergo a series of scans and tests to ensure she is not suffering from any other illnesses and if she is given the green light she will return to New York to be among the first children to be tested with the radical treatment.

A spokesman for Sir Richard said: "One of Sir Richard's PAs is liaising with the Clarke family and he has pledged to help."

Batten's Disease, which affects about 100 children in the country, shows itself between the ages of two and four and inevitably leads to an early death but the treatment aims to stop the disease in its tracks, halting deterioration.

Mr Clark said: "The treatment could save Holly's life. Already, three children have been through and it has been successful and they are back at school."

The research is being run through the American-based Nathan's Battle Foundation, which was set up by Phil and Tricia Milto to help develop therapies for Batten's sufferers after their sons, Nathan, nine, and six-year-old PJ were diagnosed with the killer disease.

More than £20,000 has already been raised to help Holly and Bradford pop star Gareth Gates, Pop Idol Danny Tetley, snooker ace Joe Johnson and boxers Junior Witter, Donovan Smillie and Nadeem Siddique have all helped to boost funds.