LIVELY toddler Laura Bevin has proved more then the usual active handful for her young parents - she was born with 12 fingers and 11 toes.

The 18-month-old Orford youngster is one of only a few children in the country to suffer from polydactyly - extra fingers and toes. But parents Carol Bevin and Brian Yates think her extra digits make her an extra-special little girl.

Mum Carol, aged 29, of Watkin Street, said at first the thought was terrifying. She said: "I was frightened to death when she was first born. The very first thing I remember hearing was the nurse saying she had six digits on each hand. I was in a bit of a state but I knew that wasn't right.

"When I finally had time to think about things clearly I realised it was much better she had six of everything rather than four. You can always take a finger away but you can't add one."

Doctors were bemused by Laura's condition and thought the key to the mystery digits was a family connection.

Carol said: "We went right through everyone in the family but there was no one with extra fingers or toes!

"No one had a clue. They said it could have been connected to spina bifida but they've never carried out a test. Another doctor said she might have a kidney infection but then he changed his mind."

Carol took Laura to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in a final attempt to find some answers.

"The doctor there was fantastic. He said the reason there was lack of information was because nobody really knew anything about the condition."

Laura is a normal, happy-go-lucky child but her parents are worried her extra digits will be the subject of teasing when

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