A PADDINGTON youngster has been given the honour of welcoming a special visitor to the region tomorrow.

Brave seven-year-old Aimee Haswell said she had been practising her curtsy before meeting HRH The Duchess of Cambridge at Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool.

The royal newly wed is due to be given a tour of the hospital and will meet staff and patients including Aimee, who was diagnosed with a rare heart condition hypoplastic left heart syndrome aged nine days old.

It means the left side of Aimee’s heart had not developed properly, putting the right side under huge pressure to pump blood and oxygen around her body and led to three major operations.

Aimee’s mum Lisa said: “Aimee has always taken everything that hits her in her stride.

“She’s a very special little girl who is loved dearly and tells us every day she loves us.

“We very nearly lost her on several occasions when she was first taken ill.

“Her first eight hours on intensive care were very difficult and the team at Alder Hey performed a miracle in our eyes when they managed to stabilise her.”

She added Aimee was very excited about meeting Kate after becoming a regular visitor at the hospital.

Lisa said: “Aimee deserves this more than anyone I can think of.

“She’s a very strong, brave, happy little girl who has been through so much in her short life.”