THE parents of a nine-year-old girl who cannot walk or talk because of a rare brain condition are deliberately keeping her child-sized to give her a better life.

The youngster, named only as Ashley, suffers from static encephalopathy and is called "Pillow Angel" by her mother and father because she stays wherever they place her, usually on a pillow.

But three years ago, fearing she would one day become too big to lift or move easily, they took the decision to keep her small with a treatment known as growth attenuation.

Ashley, whom doctors expect to have a normal lifespan, has had a hysterectomy, surgery to prevent breast growth and high doses of oestrogen that will keep her about 4ft 5in forever. Her weight will remain around 51/2st.

Had she not had the treatment, the youngster, who is unable to keep her head up, roll over or sit up by herself and is fed by a tube, would probably have grown to around 5ft 6in and weighed 9st.

Last year, the process - which was carried out in Seattle, America - was described in a medical journal, angering some professionals.

Now her parents, who have another daughter and a son, have decided to go public with what they call the "Ashley Treatment".

They said the main benefit of the height and weight reduction was that she could be moved much more often, which was better for her health and wellbeing.

"As a result, we will continue to delight in holding her in our arms and Ashley will be moved and taken on trips more frequently and will have more exposure to activities and social gatherings."