THE parents of a battling toddler facing yet another medical set-back are determined it will not get in the way of her enjoying life like any other child.

Alison Marshall, of Barnard Castle, was born three months premature and weighing just 1lb 12oz, in November 2013.

Doctors told her parents, Marie Spooner and Gary Marshall, that their little girl had chronic lung disease, a hole in her heart and a heart murmur meaning she would start her life relying on oxygen and being fed through a tube through complications.

The tot strove to overcome the issues and was slowly making progress.

However, she suffered a cardiac arrest aged just six months old in May 2014 and doctors have now diagnosed Alison with a mild form of cerebral palsy which they think may have been caused during the attack when her brain was starved of oxygen.

The incurable condition can cause muscle weakness but each individual is affected differently based on how severe their case is.

Miss Spooner said the family found out Alison had the condition after several tests were ordered by a consultant who did not think the youngster was developing as quickly as she should be.

“I had an appointment with the development consultant at the beginning of last year and she said about Alison still being behind so she thought it was worthwhile having an MRI scan and some blood tests,” the 27-year-old said. “They had to do it three times because it kept coming back with insufficient results and then she had her MRI scan with the results coming back in January and that’s when they said she had a mild form of cerebral palsy.”

Miss Spooner, who is also mum to eight-year-old Karl, added: “It always been her hips that she has had problems with when it comes to her mobility but they have said because it’s a mild case, hopefully it won’t affect her too much and we have to just keep doing what we are with her development.”

Now three, Alison is still behind with her speech but does not rely on oxygen anymore and has been attending Montalbo Nursey a few days a week after staff had specialist training to cater to her needs.

Miss Spooner said she hopes Alison will be able to start full-time nursery in September.

“I’m so proud of her; she’s come so far and it’s great to see her now,” she said. “She absolutely loves nursery and the staff - she’s a strong-willed and determined little girl.”

Mr Marshall added: “I’m just relived we finally got a diagnosis - waiting was the hardest part and it pushed you but we have had fantastic support.”