LITTLE Lucy Lewis is a real fighter despite being left with brain damage after almost drowning in a swimming pool.

Doctors feared the two-year-old tot would not live after the accident last June.

She was rushed to intensive care at Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's hospital, where she spent 10 days - with doctors saying each evening that she would not last the night.

Mum Samantha said: "We were just in a state of shock - we were totally numb. They didn't think she would come out of intensive care.

"And then when they switched the respirator off they thought she would die, but she just got stronger and stronger.

"She is a real little fighter."

Now all Lucy is capable of doing is crying and watching people, although Samantha and Michael, Lucy's dad, are grateful she is alive.

Michael, 27, said: "Our life has completely changed - we cannot plan anything at all."

And the couple have had to re-think their future, including giving up working at the family-run hotel, the Dalmeny in St Annes.

A charity ball was held last night (November 13) to raise cash for children's charities and to say thank you to all the people who have given their love and support to Lucy.

Food, prizes and even the staff's time were all given freely for the cause, so all proceeds can go to the Children's Hospice in the Fylde, Derian House and Ronald McDonald House at the Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

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