A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl whose life has been blighted by a rare disease has returned home from Berlin after undergoing extensive cosmetic surgery.

Anna Hogben was born with a rare condition called PHACE, which saw a life-threatening blood-filled tumour birthmark on her face putting pressure on her heart and brain.

The illness, which affects fewer than 100 children in the world, also ravaged Anna's face, leaving her with severe facial deformities.

In April last year she underwent pioneering surgery at New York's Beth Israel Hospital, where the procedure to remove the birthmark began.

Last week, Anna and her parents Gary and Annette, both 43, returned from Berlin where Anna had cosmetic surgery at the Benjamin Franklin Hospital.

The youngster had an operation on her upper lip as well as laser treatment to her eyes and lips which cost nearly £7,000.

Dr Milton Waner, a world-leading expert on vascular birthmarks, was the man behind the surgery which is set to give the youngster a new lease of life.

Mr Hogben said: "Anna has coped amazingly well. We were told this would be a painful procedure for her but she has been so brave.

"The day after the operation her face was red raw and sore but she was just asking if she could go and play with her toys.

"I think it's Anna's personality which has got her through this.

"She is very outgoing and although this has been a tough time for us all, it has made us stronger as a family."

Anna is now recovering at her home in Luddesdon Road, Erith, with brothers Karl, 16, and James, 14.

She has to have her face washed four times a day to prevent infection, before having petroleum jelly applied to stop her skin drying out.

The youngster, who attends Bursted Wood Primary School, Swanbrige Road, Barnehurst, will go back to Berlin in six months for a check-up.

Over the years she has had five operations and her parents have raised more than £78,000, partly helped by News Shopper readers touched by Anna's story.

To make a donation to Anna's fund, which will help children with similar conditions, visit the website annasfund.co.uk

TREATMENT TIMELINE

l March 2001: At just 14 months old, Anna had her first operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital where she underwent open-heart surgery to fix a hole in her heart; l April/May 2004: She went to New York where surgeon Dr Milton Waner worked on removing the birthmark and reconstructing her bottom lip; l July 2004: Anna had more surgery to her lips and right eye. After the operation, she started bleeding from the incision made above her eye and was rushed back to hospital. Dr Waner flew to Berlin from New York to carry out the operation; l February/March 2005: Another operation in Berlin where incisions were made to her lips and right eye. After the operation, Anna had to have her hands tied to her legs as she kept trying to scratch her stitches out; l November 2005: The latest operation in Berlin.