A blind schoolgirl has been given a new lease of life thanks to a new braille computer.

Ten-year-old Millie Bywater was diagnosed with cancer in both her eyeballs when she was just 11 months old.

Her right eye was replaced with a prosthetic eye on her third birthday.

After years of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and cryotherapy she now has only a tiny bit of vision in her left eye.

On Wednesday she was presented with a new braille computer by the Lions Club of Gloucester.

Millie's mum Rebecca said the computer meant the world to her daughter.

"It really has given her a new lease of life," she said.

"We can't tear her away from it now; she absolutely loves it."

The £3,500 for the software, which allows Millie to read in braille what she has typed, was raised by 14 local Lions Clubs.

The computer also speaks back to Millie too.

"It is unbelievable what they've done," said Rebecca, who lives with her husband Jamie and her other daughter Jade, 13, in York Road, Barnwood.

"She can now email her friends and do her school work; she has never had access to that kind of thing.

"Most children can go to the library or go on the internet to do their homework, but Millie has never been able to do that until now.

"It is the same computer as the one she uses in school so as far as her education goes, it will help her no end.

"It really is incredible and we are so thankful."

The rare form of eye cancer that Millie, who goes to Barnwood C of E Primary School, suffers from will stay with her for the rest of her life.

But she still has smile on her face.

"She has such an amazing sense of humour," said Rebecca.

"She has been through a lot, but she keeps on smiling."

Matt McIntyre, of the Lions Club of Gloucester, said raising the money for Millie was a pleasure and really showed the spirit among the Lions' clubs.

He said: "Her bravery and spirit have touched every one of our members and no doubt we can still assist her in future."