A little girl with a rare condition that means she can barely speak above a whisper has been left distraught after being told that she has to move schools.

Four-year-old Ellie Dixon has recurrent respiratory papillomas which causes growths on her vocal chords and larynx and means she has to have surgery every six to eight weeks.

The youngster, who also gets out of breath easily, was shy until she started atIrlamprimary school’s nursery where mum Rachel Lynch says her confidence has soared over the past year.

But the family are now facing another setback afterSalford councilrefused her a place at Irlam primary and told her she must move to Fiddlers Lane Community Primary School in September instead.

Rachel, 23, who lost an appeal against the decision, says she is on a waiting list in case places become available at Irlam - but fears Ellie may miss out and retreat even further into her shell.

She said: “She is already a quiet and shy person and if she moves I worry that she will lose even more confidence. When I told her about the decision she cried and cried.

“She will have to settle into a new school with her medical condition and I don’t think she will be able to concentrate. The staff at Irlam know her medical needs.

“She needs surgery every six to eight weeks and I don’t want her disrupted any more.

“I’m planning on home schooling her now, that’s what I might have to do. I will fight this in the hope that they will reconsider.”

Ellie, from Marlborough Road, Irlam, has had the condition from birth and needs regular surgery to remove the growths and clear the airways.

Without treatment the condition, caused by a virus affecting the throat, is potentially fatal because uncontrolled growths could obstruct the airways.

It is hoped that by the age of 10 she will no longer need surgery if her immune system can fight off the virus.

Coun John Merry said: “Ellieis on the waiting list in case a place becomes available at Irlam primary school by December 31.

“Ellie’s medical condition was not mentioned on the original application and we were only made aware of it after she was offered a place at Fiddlers

Lane. She was offered a place there because Irlam primary school was over subscribed.

“Her needs were assessed through our independent process by our medical panel, which comprises a member of the council’s school health team,

acommunity paediatrician, an educational psychologist, three primary school headteachers and the school admissions manager.

“They concluded Ellie’s needs can be met by any other school.”

Ellie's family have made this petition for the localauthority to realise that the have made a mistake in assessing Ellie's medical needs. She has settled in Irlam Primray and moving her into a new school woud only set her back. We urge people to please sign this petiton and share with friends and family. Thank you