A YOUNG girl with heart disease has had her Christmas wish come true by dancing with the fairies in The Nutcracker.

Rhianna Fisher, a ballet mad five-year-old from Shephall in Stevenage, met the dancers of the English National Ballet after watching a performance of the magical ballet at the London Coliseum.

The trip was organised by the original ballet flat company, French Sole, as part of a campaign by gift-giving charity Starlight Children’s Foundation to restore the magic of Christmas for seriously and terminally ill children.

Before taking her seat for the matinee performance, Rhianna and nine other young guests were surprised by a special visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy, who came laden with presents for them all. After the show they were taken on stage to meet the stars.

Rhianna’s mum Jasmine, who accompanied her daughter to the theatre, said: “Rhianna has been incredibly brave throughout her illness but it has been a really tough time for us as a family. Her illness has meant that she doesn’t dance as much as she would like to at the moment but it hasn’t stopped her enjoyment of today.

“To be able to escape the endless routine of medication and hospital visits for just one day has been a wonderful treat.”

James Streeter, who plays The Mouse King in The Nutcracker, said: “Christmas should be a happy time for every child and it is devastating that so many kids have been stuck in hospital.

“We are so pleased to have been able to host some of Starlight’s children and we really hope that it has helped to restore some of the magic of Christmas for them.”