BLACKPOOL has pulled out all the stops to provide a holiday to remember for a sick girl and her family.

Big-hearted leisure bosses from the resort have put out the flags for brave Glaswegian Sarah Amato with free tickets and guided tours of their attractions.

Hoteliers Eileen and John Fullard have even welcomed the ten-year-old battler, along with parents Andrea and John, to their Warwick House Hotel free of charge.

And the highlight of the avid Celtic fan's week was a visit to Blackpool Football Club's Bloomfield Road ground.

Sarah underwent a life-saving triple heart by-pass in January after being diagnosed with a rare illness, tachayasus arteritis, which leads to blocked arteries.

At one point she spent a week in intensive care and weighed just three-and-a-half stone which mum Andrea describes as "the worst time of my life".

Although there is no known cure and she now has to survive on blood pressure tablets, steroids and a cancer drug, the youngster has recovered enough to fully enjoy her trip to Blackpool.

The treat came about through Brian Rigby, former chairman of Blackpool's tourism committee and a friend of Andrea's uncle.

Having heard about the family's hard time he appealed to Eileen Fullard, chairman of the Private Hotels Association, for help in finding accommodation and drove all the way to Scotland to bring them to the resort.

Mr Rigby said: "Sarah is such a lovely little girl and it was a pleasure to be able to give her a holiday."

First stop of the week was a trip to the Sandcastle before trying out the rides at the Pleasure Beach.

"I went on the roller coaster and I loved it," beamed Sarah who said she was too scared to go on the Big One. But it was a nervous moment for mum Andrea who admitted: "My heart was in my mouth."

Sooty then greeted the family at the Magic of Coronation Street where Sarah, a big fan of the TV soap, was treated to a guided tour and spent two hours checking out the likes of the Ogden's front room and the Rovers Return.

Staff at Bloomfield Road then took her under their wing, giving her a talk on the history of the ground, introducing her to managing director Gill Bridge before presenting her with a Blackpool shirt, hat and scarf to take home.

Stadium manager John Turner added: "We took Sarah to the boardroom where she held a replica of the FA Cup and wore the cap Harry Johnston received when he played for England against Scotland which we thought would be a nice touch.

"She enjoyed herself and we were only too pleased to treat her."

The family will be going home on Saturday and say they will take some lovely memories with them.

"Everyone has been wonderful," said Andrea, "especially Eileen and John. Thank you."

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