She was given six months to live after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour aged just four years old.

Norwich Evening News: Christina Thomas, 5, from Old Costessey, who has terminal cancer. Her family are hoping to raise just over £300,000 for treatment in Mexico. Picture: KENNY THOMASChristina Thomas, 5, from Old Costessey, who has terminal cancer. Her family are hoping to raise just over £300,000 for treatment in Mexico. Picture: KENNY THOMAS (Image: KENNY THOMAS)

But nine months on from that day at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, Christina Thomas, from Old Costessey, has defied the odds and started school after doctors discovered the tumour was not growing as fast as expected.

Her musician parents, Kenny and Francisca Thomas, decided against their daughter going through chemotherapy and brought their daughter home soon after the diagnosis in February 2017.

The five-year-old has a midbrain giloma – a tumour which developed on her brainstem – and doctors said the treatment would not cure the cancer, according to Mr Thomas.

Her parents, who have three other children, adopted an holistic approach, including changing their youngster's diet to plant-based food, juices and supplements.

Norwich Evening News: Christina Thomas, 5, from Old Costessey, who has terminal cancer. Her family are hoping to raise just over £300,000 for treatment in Mexico. Picture: KENNY THOMASChristina Thomas, 5, from Old Costessey, who has terminal cancer. Her family are hoping to raise just over £300,000 for treatment in Mexico. Picture: KENNY THOMAS (Image: KENNY THOMAS)

The couple are also on a mission to raise £300,000 for a new non-invasive treatment being used at a hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. So far, nearly £114,000 has been raised.

Mr Thomas, 49, who has a degree in traditional Chinese medicine, said: 'We made the decision to not allow her to go through chemotherapy treatment with all of its unavoidable dreadful side effects. It will not cure her.

'We felt that her time might even be reduced by this treatment and most definitely be made more intolerable. We could not do that to our little girl, so we have chosen quality of life over an extended period of suffering.'

He added medical experts agreed with their decision.

Christina had her first day at school at St Augustine's Catholic Primary School in Costessey, in September, which was 'a minor miracle'.

'She is laughing, has more energy and is happy. She is in a better place compared to how she was a few months ago,' Mr Thomas added.

He thanked the Costessey community for its support with the £300,000 fundraising appeal.

Residents have organised a fundraiser at the Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, on December 9, from 11am-5pm. To donate items visit christinasfundraiser2017@gmail.com. Visit www.chuffed.org/project/christinathomas