A child suffering a rare debilitating illness is coming to the end of a controversial programme of stem cell treatment.

Sacha Skinner, five, has Batten Disease, a rare brain disorder which affects her ability to walk and communicate.

Her family have travelled to Shenying, China, for injections into her spine of stem cells taken from an umbilical cord.

The procedure is illegal in the UK.

Parents Annette Dacosta and Neil Skinner decided against treatment which would have seen Sacha have the stem cells injected directly into her brain.

Mrs Dacosta, of Firle Road, Brighton, took Sacha to China almost a month ago and returned half way through her treatment to go back to work.

Mr Skinner has taken over and is caring for Sacha with his partner Rebecca Lee for the final two weeks of her hospital treatment.

Mr Skinner said she has been responding well to the treatment and the stem cell injections seem to be having an effect.

She had her fifth and final injection on Friday and is coming back to the UK this weekend.

Mr Skinner said: "She hasn't been dribbling again and I can only put that down to stem cells.

"It has been explained that she is now using the muscles in her mouth to control the saliva glands - let's hope it stays this way.

"Something has definitely happened, something has changed. I am glad she's more relaxed, I'm glad she's happier but will it last? No one knows. We'll just have to wait and see."

Mr Skinner has shared some special moments with his daughter in China.

He said: " I cuddle up next to Sacha as Rebecca sleeps and we watch Teletubbies.

"I can't explain how good it feels to have my arm around her neck, just sitting on the bed together while we watch the television.

"This moment means the world to me as I so enjoyed times like these three or more years ago when she was well.

"This has actually been one of the moments I have missed the most.

"Sacha has regressed slowly over three and half years and for such a long time I have been unable to restrain her to sit near me as she is always fighting to get away.

"Dare I say it, tonight feels as if I have got Sacha back, like a dream come true after all the nightmares."