A teenager born with a rare immune disorder was granted her birthday wish of swimming with dolphins.

Heidi Smith, of Cranford, was born with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome type 1A, known as ALPS, making her prone to tumours.

She was diagnosed in April last year with Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer, but stayed positive despite having to undergo a gruelling course of chemotherapy.

As a reward, Starlight Children's Foundation made her wish to swim with dolphins come true. The charity funded a trip to Florida, where she celebrated her 19th birthday on February 10 with her family and some flippered friends.

Speaking on her return, Heidi said: "What an amazing experience my wish was! I just want to thank Starlight so much. It has made one cancer survivor very, very happy! My family and I loved it so much!"

Starlight, which grants wishes for children with serious and terminal illness, arranged for Heidi to fly to Orlando the day before her birthday, along with her parents Darren and Grace, sisters Chloe, 20, and Holly, nine, and brother Corben, also nine.

As well as swimming with dolphins at Discovery Cove, the family got to visit Aquatica, Sea World and even the Magic Kingdom Park at Disney World during what was a trip of a lifetime.

Heidi, who has been in remission from cancer since last July, said she had been feeling quite down before the holiday but it had given her a huge lift. She described the break as a well-deserved treat for her family, who have been so supportive, too.

She recently returned to her job as a childminder at the Virgin Active creche in Sunbury and is due to begin studying child nursing at Brooklands College, in Ashford, next September - a course she hopes will help her fulfil her other dream, of working at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

"I've been a patient at Great Ormond Street from when I was about six weeks old to the age of 18 and I love the hospital. I'm determined to give back what the staff there have given me," she said.

* To refer a child to have a wish granted, or to donate to Starlight, visit www.starlight.org.uk