A YOUNG girl who once feared she had just months to live is looking forward to a new year packed full of fun following a remarkable recovery. Five-year-old Bethany Baxter was diagnosed with an incredibly rare form of cancer and her parents prepared themselves for the worst.

But following successful surgery and an incredible recovery, Bethany is looking forward to a fantastic 2002.

Her mother, dance teacher Jane, 25, said: "She is now a new little girl. This Christmas she gave her mummy, daddy, family and friends the most precious gift - herself." Her father, Nick, 25, a policeman based at Rochester station, said: "It has been a fantastic year for Beth. She has gone from strength to strength and come out on the other side.

The nightmare for the Baxter family, who live at Chatham Maritime, begun in July, 2000 when, at just three, Bethany was found to have a form of cancer called Wilms, which only affects one in 250,000 children. The cancer had spread to her kidneys and it was feared she may only have a couple months to live.

By November, 2000 she had had a successful operation, which killed off the life-threatening tumours. There was still a long way to go but by May this year, Bethany was well enough to travel to Disneyland in America. She is now learning to dance and swim and is making good progress at school since starting in September.

If that wasn't enough, £22,000 has been raised in her name through the charity set up by her parents called Leap of Faith. The money is divided between Bethany's own trust, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Cancer Research.

Bethany still has monthly check-ups, alternating between Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and Great Ormond Street.

She will not be considered completely free of the illness for another five years. But, to the family's delight, the last test, on December 20, showed the cancer has stayed away.