A young girl with severely swollen tonsils will finally have a long-awaited operation to remove them after KentOnline highlighted her plight.

Little Ellie-Mae Scarlett, from Mersham, has at last been given a date for the tonsillectomy despite being told more than three months ago her tonsils would need be removed.

Mum Claire desperately called doctors while the tot’s tonsils swelled so large, she now struggles to eat and breathe.

Claire was told no one was available to carry out the surgery and to "take her to A&E if she stops breathing".

After KentOnline and sister paper the Kentish Express highlighted the family's struggle, the relieved mum was told told Ellie-Mae's simple surgery will finally take place on June 9.

Claire said: “I’m so pleased we’ve finally got a date.

“We have to have another pre-op consultation because the last one is out of date now but I’m just relieved something is finally being done.

“Ellie-Mae is very happy too. She’s been really struggling and sad because of the pain.”

Claire said the Mersham Primary School pupil has lost weight because she is unable to eat properly and her breathing is very bad.

The youngster now has obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where she stops breathing throughout the night.

Mum-of-four Claire said: “Every night I go to bed waiting and listening for her breathing, or to make sure she hasn’t choked and it felt like no one was listening –I was just being passed from pillar to post but then the hospital phoned me the day the paper came out, around 4pm, offering an appointment with the consultant.

“I can’t believe how quickly it’s all moved and I’m just so pleased she’s finally got a date.”