A MIRACLE girl who made hospital history after being given just a five per cent chance of survival is today representing the youth of East Lancashire abroad.

Catherine Mills was born at Queen's Park Hospital on July 1, 1990, four months premature and weighing just 2lbs.

Doctors gave her just a slight chance of living as she was stricken by numerous potentially-fatal illnesses, including pneumonia, and faced several operations.

But Catherine defied medical wisdom to survive after becoming the first Blackburn baby to be allowed home with a machine which pumped oxygen into her lungs. Her four-month stay in hospital over, she has barely returned since.

Doctors said she could spend a lot of her childhood returning to hospital with further complications -- but other than regular check-ups Catherine hasn't returned.

The 13-year-old, of Radford Bank Gardens, Darwen, is now registered blind as a result of the problems she suffered as a baby.

She attends the 'Action for Blind' children's club held in Shadsworth, Blackburn, on a monthly basis to play with other blind children and it is through the club that Catherine is currently in Menorca.

She was selected to be one of five children to go on a cultural exchange trip organised by Blackburn with Darwen Council's recreation and play service to the Balearic Island.

Her parents said Catherine has been determined to live life to the full like any other girl.

Proud mum Catherine, 37, said: "When she was given just a five per cent chance of surviving it was absolutely devastating obviously.

"But she came through it. I prefer not to think about that time, I just think of her now.

"We are so proud of her. It has been very hard for her but she has a lot of confidence.

"With her poor eyesight she has learned to cope with it and plays like any other girl."

Catherine, who attends Turton High School, Bolton, cannot see at all in one eye and has poor vision in her other.

Yet, she still anjoys riding her bike, playing on the computer and roller-skating.

As well as being an ambassador abroad Catherine has experienced success on the athletics track.

In the summer she won a bronze medal in the Lancashire Youth Games for her performance in the running, shot-put and long-jump disabled events.

Dad Stuart, 41, a property developer, said Catherine's 10-year-old sister Lauren and two brothers Stuart, 16 and Joseph, 15, were all proud of her.

He said: "Catherine never ever complains and just gets on with enjoying life."