A YOUNG girl is getting on with her life after having major surgery to remove the majority of a large tumour on her face, reports Daniel Orr.

Eight-year-old Hannah Tucker, of Ulverston, had surgery at St Mary's eye hospital in Manchester just before Christmas, but she is already back studying with her pals at Croftlands Junior School.

As well as causing a facial disfigurement, the tumour, which had grown gradually since birth, led to Hannah developing learning difficulties and eyesight problems.

Her mother, Elizabeth Tucker, 38, a teacher at Ulverston Victoria High School, said: "She's doing really well. The operation has made her face more symmetrical.

"It was quite traumatic just after the surgery because she had a bleed which made the eye swell. She had to have tests on the eye every hour, because there was a danger it could damage her eyesight but thankfully, she was fine.

Surgeons were unable to remove the entire tumour for fear of damaging the nerve endings that the tumour had attached itself to, and there is a chance Hannah will have to return to hospital for more surgery in the future.

Mrs Tucker, who is on the board of trustees for the charity, The Neurofibromatosis Association, said: "They removed three large pieces of tumour, and it wasn't malignant which was a big relief, but there is still some tumour left. This will grow back but at what rate or how big, we don't know."

Hannah inherited the genetic disorder from her father, Roger, who died in 2000, aged just 34.

Research work is continuing into gene therapy to slow down the rate of the growth of tumours, and the gene that causes the problems has been identified.

For more information on the condition, visit www.nfauk.org.

l National Doodle Day is being held in support of the NFA on February 23. For more information visit www.nationaldoodleday.org.uk.

INSET: Hannah before her operation. (D6I047GG01)