LITTLE Emily Harper might be too young to read the menu but could soon be tucking into solid food for the first time in her life.

The 'Emily to Eat' campaign has gathered momentum since it appeared in the Chronicle in June and has already raised £3,000 towards her treatment.

The toddler has a rare bone condition, Goldenhar syndrome, which affects only an estimated 80 children in the UK.

Emily, who cannot suck or swallow, survives on a high calorie milk formula fed through a tube in her nose.

But mum Louise hopes this will all change when they raise the £10,000 to fund treatment at a specialist feeding clinic in Austria.

"The response from the public has been fantastic so far," said Louise.

"People from all over have been getting in touch to make donations because they've heard her story. "We've managed to raise over £3,000 so far and I'm sure we can get to what we need."

Louise has provisionally booked a place for Emily to fly out in November but will need people to keep backing the campaign until they go.

She said: "We've got the biggest event so far coming up on bank holiday Monday. There's a girls night in at the White Bear in town where men and women can come along and have a go at beauty treatments, sumo wrestling and all sorts. We just need everyone to come along and get behind us."

Tickets are available behind the bar. Call Louise on 07515 595583 for more details.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal should visit the website, www.emilytoeat.org.uk, or donations can be made at the White Bear.