Attack girl 'minutes from death'

Jessica Knight underwent five hours of surgery

The parents of a schoolgirl stabbed up to 30 times in a Lancashire park have told how their daughter is recovering after being "minutes from death".

Jessica Knight, 14, was attacked as she walked through Astley Park, Chorley, on Monday evening.

Her parents, Jill and Richard, say the teenager has regained movement in her legs and has communicated - even joking with them by wiggling her toes.

A 21-year-old man has been charged with her attempted murder.

Mr Knight said his daughter was recovering despite not having opened her eyes or communicated verbally.

He said: "We started off the week and saw the very worst of human nature but since then we have seen the very best.

"It has been from despair to elation, given the fact that she is still alive.

Jessica has surprised all of us with how strong and feisty she has been Jill Walmsley

"Jessica was minutes away from death but from then on the pendulum has swung in her favour.

"She is fighting for her life and fighting big time.

"Her sense of humour is still there, the Jess we know is there."

Jessica's mother, Jill Walmsley, described the teenager as an "inspiration".

She said: "Jessica has surprised all of us with how strong and feisty she has been.

"She has more or less pulled herself through this with the help of the doctors."

Jill Walmsley described her daughter as an "inspiration"

Consultant paediatrician Dr Stephen Playfor said Jessica had been "extremely lucky".

He said had she not have been found in time, or if the knife had wounded her a millimetre further in either direction, her injuries may have proved fatal.

French national Kristofer Beddar, 21, of Daisy Hill Drive, Adlington, Chorley, appeared in court earlier charged with Jessica's attempted murder.

He was remanded in custody by Chorley magistrates until 4 February, when he is to appear at Preston Crown Court for a preliminary hearing.

It is understood Mr Beddar moved to the UK in May 2007 from the south-east Paris suburb of Melun and was working as a baker in the Chorley area.

Police confirmed they had found a 3in (7.6cm) bladed lock-knife with a steel handle, during a search of the area.

Officers stressed they were still keen to hear from anyone with information about the attack.

Jessica was found covered in blood by a passing cyclist who was alerted by her screams.

She underwent five hours of surgery and remains critically ill at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury.