A DORSET girl who has been taken to China to try a promising new treatment for her cerebral palsy has been able to sit up and place her feet almost flat on the ground for the first time in her life.

Eight-year-old Shonia Tahiliani's parents, Kishor and Priti, are overjoyed with the improvement they have seen since their daughter had her first two injections of stem cells at a hospital in Beijing.

And her progress is being watched by families all over the world, who are hoping the treatment could help their own brain-damaged children.

"Something is happening. She is sitting with assistance, her neck control and balance have improved. She's also putting on weight and she's getting taller. We're very optimistic," said Kishor.

"She's quite happy. She doesn't cry in therapy sessions and gives her full support.

"She is babbling and starting to make sense. They are small changes, but it's still early days. Our first goal is to get her sitting on her own. If she can sit, she will be able to walk, I'm sure."

Priti said Shonia had been able to bear her own weight, keeping her feet almost flat on the floor, and place her palms facing upwards for the first time.

"The change has come so fast. I'm so happy. Doctors before told us she wouldn't be able to do anything. I just want to prove them wrong," said Priti.

"Before, she looked like a baby. Now I can speak to her like a normal person and she can respond. I am sure now she will walk."

Shonia is the first child from the UK to be treated at the hospital. She has three more injections lined up, using stem cells from her own bone marrow to develop into new nerve cells.

The family, who live in Bournemouth, were able to travel to China only because of a generous donation from a local hotel, the Hermitage, and are using all their savings.

But they now need to raise another £10,000 to enable Shonia to stay for another two months' treatment, which they feel will give her the best chance of escaping from the worst effects of her disability.

The stem cell injections are backed up by a programme of intensive speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

l Donations can be made to V. Tahiliani (Shonia) at NatWest Bank, 1-5 Old Christchurch Rd, Bournemouth, BH1 1DU, sortcode 560035, account number 28189922.