Little Amber Hartland has achieved the impossible.

Doctors said the Gwent tot, who suffers from a rare and serious illness, wouldn't live beyond two years.

But she did, and experts then said she wouldn't survive until her third birthday. A few days ago, Amber was three, and her doctor is now cautiously discussing school.

"Just to be celebrating it is incredible," said Lesley, Amber's mother, of Ellwood Path, St Dials, Cwmbran.

For Lesley and husband Nick though, it's a case of keeping feet firmly on the ground.

"We just try and make every day count, Because we still don't know if it's going to be her last," she said.

That's why, as soon as the weather gets a bid milder, the family are off to Euro Disney in Paris for a full-on third birthday celebratory trip.

This is new territory for doctors, as babies with Amber's condition - the rare genetic disorder infantile Tay Sachs, usually face a rapid and devastating decline very early on.

The onset of blindness and deafness among sufferers is common, as well as the breakdown of internal organs, and eventually death. But about 22 months ago, thanks to a fundraising and awareness campaign, backed by the community, and Argus readers across Gwent, Amber became the first baby in the world to try out a new experimental drug, Zavesco, which so far appears to have played a part in arresting her condition.

"She's got perfect eyesight and hearing and she's looking so much better," said Nick.

They were recently contacted by an Italian couple, who read about Amber on the Argus website, and want to try the drug as well. When she was first diagnosed at 11 months however, there appeared little hope.

"The fundraising was initially started to take her to Lourdes - some friends started it off," said Nick. "There was no hope. We tried everything from holistic medicine to faith healers - even crystals."

Today, Amber weighs 30lbs, and shows a growing ability to cope with the many health challenges she still faces.

"Sometimes its hard when you see other kids running around with their parents, but really we are so blessed to have her, she's perfect," said Nick.