Young girl who was operated on in the womb amazes family

Frankie Lavis was diagnosed at 19 weeks and was operated on in the womb Credit: ITV West Country

A mother from Plymouth says she's amazed at how far her daughter has come since receiving pioneering surgery in the womb.

Frankie Lavis was the first British child to have the procedure in Belgium four years ago after being diagnosed with Spina Bifida at just 19 weeks.

Spina bifida is when a baby's spine and spinal cord don't develop properly in the womb, causing a gap in the spine.

Frankie turned four in August and in September started school, two milestones her parents Gina and Dan once thought may never happen.

At 24 weeks pregnant, a team of surgeons in Belgium operated on Frankie's spine while she was still in Gina's womb - making Frankie the UK's first unborn baby with Spina Bifida to have this type of surgery.

This type of foetal surgery isn't a miracle cure - Frankie still sometimes uses a wheelchair and she'll always need some support but ask her Mum what she thinks of her girl and there's no messing with her answer.

Not all unborn children with Spina Bifida will meet the criteria for this surgery but Frankie's family say she gives hope to many.