Cheltenham girl with cerebral palsy cast in drama alongside David Tennant

A little girl from Cheltenham whose parents were told she may never walk has managed the feat on her first day of school.

Lilac Jackson, who has cerebral palsy, walked to school last week - 18 months after having life-saving surgery.

Her parents raised more than £100,000 to fund the operation to achieve the four-year-old’s dream of being able to chase after her brother.

But she now looks set for stardom after being cast in Channel 4’s upcoming thriller Deadwater Fell, alongside Broadchurch actor David Tennant.

Mum Leila said being on set is where her daughter is “meant to be”.

Lilac Jackson, from Cheltenham, was diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy soon after her first birthday - and doctors warned she would likely never walk or talk.

The condition is caused by brain damage during pregnancy or childbirth and it affects one in every 400 babies born in the UK every year.

Leila said her daughter’s on-screen experience improved Lilac’s confidence and helped with her speech and language.

She said she hopes little Lilac will be considered for other roles 'in spite of her disability' in the future.