COURAGEOUS Kelly has fought a determined battle against illness ever since she was born, said her proud mum, Margaret.

Yet she never complains or lets her Spina Bifida condition beat her.

"Doctors told me after her first spinal operation, she'd never walk," said Margaret, of Windmill Hill, Runcorn. "She walked six months after it. She's done everything they said she would never achieve.

"They told her she could never have children and she came in one day and said 'I'm pregnant'. She had the best health during her pregnancy and everything was normal.

"She's a fighter, she's fought every inch of her life.

"The night before her last spinal operation, she went on every rollercoaster in Blackpool!"

Her bubbly personality belies the fact that she takes 19 painkillers a day and has had a colostomy.

"To look at her you would think there is nothing wrong," said Margaret. "Can't and won't are not words she uses. She just gets on with life.

"When we feel down we just look at her. She's gone through hell and back and can laugh. She's an inspiration to us all."

Watching euphoric Kelly celebrate at her champagne reception, her mum was almost lost for words.

"I can't describe how I feel. It is overwhelming, I still can't take it in.

"This is more than she could ever have wished for. If it wasn't for the sponsors and this competition, they would still be trying to save to get married.

"I can't thank everyone enough.

"This really is a fairytale."