A TEENAGER from Abertillery is spending her 13th week in hospital after another leg-lengthening operation - but is hoping she could be discharged in the next fortnight.

Kirsty Roberts, (pictured) who is 17, suffers from a rare genetic disorder that stunts her growth.

Last summer she went to France to have pioneering surgery that enabled her to grow more than four inches, to a height of 4ft 6in.

But Kirsty suffered complications at Christmas and dislocated one of her hips - and had to return to France for six weeks for another operation.

For the last seven weeks she has been recovering at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. She is now going to be allowed to leave her hospital bed for the first time next week and mum Kay says the teenager cannot wait to be on her feet again.

"She has her first route all planned; she is going straight down to the bathroom to have a shower!" she said.

Physiotherapy will follow and it is hoped she may be able to leave hospital within seven to ten days.

"But she is still really cheerful. The nurses are very impressed by her good spirits," Kay added.

Kirsty now intends to return to St Albans RC School in Pontypool to start her A level courses in September.