Hope for girl who shuns the sun

Alice has to wear protective clothing to go outside

The family of a three-year-old girl who has to stay indoors because of a rare genetic disorder has been overwhelmed with offers of help.

Alice Tyson, of Carlisle, has Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP) which means exposure to sunlight increases her risk of getting the disease or going blind.

If she goes outside she must be covered up and wear a hat for protection.

Now after her plight was highlighted locals have offered to raise money to build her a special "night garden".

The incurable condition affects between 150 and 200 people in the UK.

Alice was only diagnosed with the condition seven weeks ago at Cumberland Infirmary.

'Pulling together

Her parents, Neil and Tracey, started a campaign to raise money for a special playroom and outdoor tunnel with lights so the youngster is no longer confined to the darkness of their sitting room.

They need to raise £7,000 and are already half way there thanks to the fundraising efforts of local people and businesses.

Mrs Tyson said: "Alice has loved all the attention and cameras following her about everywhere.

"We want to build her night garden where she can play so we need to get rid of the concrete in our garden and build a special tunnel so she will be totally safe.

"Everyone is pulling together and helping to give her as normal a life as possible - we have had businesses and pubs offering to help."

Dr Firas Al-Niaimi, a dermatologist at Cumberland Infirmary, said: "If young patients don't get vigorous sun protection they can get skin cancer - it is a very serious condition."