A ROGIET toddler is one step closer to receiving a life changing operation after undergoing a treatment of Botox.

Ruby Atkins, three, will be celebrating her fourth birthday this Christmas Day and her parents say she is doing well after her recent treatment which involved injecting Botox into her legs. The toddler received three injections in total; one in each calf and the third in her hamstring of her right leg.

She received the treatment at Nevill Hall Hospital at the end of November and will be returning for a consultation with surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London on January 8.

Her parents Antony and Rachael Atkins along with family and friends have raised more than £43,000 through various fundraisers including a cycle ride from Paris to Magor, the Abergavenny Three peaks challenge and a skydive.

The money raised is hoped to go towards an operation called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy which could help Ruby who has cerebral palsy walk unaided.

Mr Atkins, Ruby's father, said: "We haven't seen any real difference at the moment but this is not unusual as Ruby's physio tells us that it can take two to three weeks to be really noticeable. We expect to see Ruby having a reduced tightness in her legs - for her to be more flat footed than up on her tiptoes- we hope it will give her increased movement."

"She didn't really feel anything as she ended up on gas - we told her the injections were full of Peppa Pig jelly so she didn't want to take the plasters off."

The toddler has had an increased physiotherapy treatment from one week to three times a week which aims to reduced the tightness and develop the muscles.

Mr Atkins said: "The treatment will give the surgeons an insight into what effects the operation is likely to have - the Botox is a short term measure - we wanted to be cautious before operating.

"We don't want her to miss out on her childhood. Surgeons will assess the suitability of SDR for Ruby and what will be the likely benefits - ideally the operation will happen before she starts school in September."