A DEAF toddler celebrated her birthday in style after health bosses promised her the perfect present - an operation to help her hear.

Ellie McAnish's family and friends gathered at their Belthorn home, for her second birthday.

She faces a lifetime of silence if she does not receive a cochlear implant before she is four - and is now awaiting a date for the op.

And although she was a little confused why so many people packed into her house, Sara, said she soon got used to the presents.

She said: "She started opening the presents quick enough, she certainly enjoyed that part. She got a dressing gown, as well as a medical kit and doctors outfit."

The centrepiece of the buffet spread was a pink and white fairy castle cake that Shadsworth firm Interlink Foods provided after reading about Ellie in the Evening Telegraph.

Paul Griffiths, its chief executive, said: "As the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's Business of the Year, and a keen supported of it's Pride of East Lancashire Children of Courage Campaign, we were touched by the little girl's situation.

"We thought that a very special birthday cake would bring a smile to her face!"