A one-year-old girl with a severe cleft lip and palate, has rediscovered her smile after essential surgery.

Tilly-Rose Bagley’s condition meant she was born with no left nostril and no left side to the roof of her mouth.

Her mother Charmaine Self has to feed her with a special bottle, and Tilly-Rose will have to undergo speech therapy to help her learn to talk.

The one-year-old’s surgery was funded by the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), a voluntary organisation supporting families affected by the condition.

The operations have improved the suction in her mouth so she can eat and drink using normal bottles.

Her first procedure was on August 9 last year, where surgeons partly closed the hole caused by the condition, and carried out work on her nostril.

Tilly-Rose, who lives with her family in Peterborough Road, Carshalton, had a follow-up operation in February this year, where surgeons set about repairing the roof of her mouth.

She will have to have more surgery in September to continue work on her palate, with no set date for when the procedure will be fully complete.

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Before the surgery

Tilly-Rose has her operations at the St Evelina London Children’s Hospital in London Bridge.

Her father Luke Bagley, who works as a labourer, said: "She came out looking absolutely beautiful.

"We are really proud of Tilly for what she has been through at such a young age.

Mr Bagley, 32, is hosting a family fun-day in Carshalton to raise money for CLAPA.

He said: "They deserve more praise, what they have done is so wonderful.

"We are hoping to raise around £2,000 for the charity and I am sure it can be done."

The event will include a bouncy castle, face-painting, a ball pit, and a soft play area for children.

Family fun-day; Morfax Social Club, Carshalton Road, Mitcham, Surrey, CR4 4HN; Saturday, August 16; 50p for adults, 25p for children; Call 07949 634 612 for more details.