A desperately-ill youngster has been given a lifeline by heart surgeons.

The parents of one-year-old Lily Cater, of Low Moor, who suffers from a rare condition have been told extensive and complex surgery could save her life.

Her condition affects only two children born in the UK each year.

The news came after the family attended an appointment at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Lily's mum Michala admitted "the battle isn't over" but said it had given them all hope.

She said: "It is the best news we have had so far and it has definitely raised our spirits."

The doting parents had been told by doctors that Lily would die before the age of five of lung or heart failure and that there was no cure for the toddler.

Lily has pulmonary artresia, a condition that means her heart and the main blood vessels to the lungs have failed to develop properly.

The oxygen level in her blood is three quarters that of a healthy person and this means her heart has to work harder as she grows to pump oxygen around her body. She also has a hole in her heart.

Lily has difficulty breathing, poor circulation and often turns blue when she becomes over excited.

But her parents refused to accept the doctors' diagnosis and have battled for eight months to get a second opinion.

Lily's dad Paul said: "We feel angry that we had to wait so long for this appointment. It has been a very stressful time for all the family.

"But now the important thing is to concentrate on getting Lily better and we know it will be a long process."

Lily will attend Birmingham Children's Hospital again later this month for further tests.

The family has been told that Lily's surgery could take place in March.

Michala said: "We're a long way from this being over and Lily will have to undergo lots of surgery but if it saves her life it will all be worth it."

The family are continuing to fundraise for the Lily Cater Cardiac Trust which they set up to help find a cure for Lily and raise awareness about her condition.

"We are still raising money because we don't know what is happening yet. If any of the money we raise is left over we will be donating it to a similar charity to help children heart conditions," said Michala.