FIVE-year-old Charlotte Nott is unable to play with normal games consoles because of her disability.

But thanks to specialist computer equipment at Charlbury-based charity SpecialEffect, Charlotte, who lost her limbs to meningitis as a baby, and other disabled youngsters can enjoy computer games.

The Cowley youngster giggled as she played a disco dancing game on the Xbox Kinect during a visit on Monday with her family.

The Kinect uses motion detection technology, including a camera and microphone, enabling users to play without the use of a control pad.

Charlotte’s dad Alex Nott, 31, said: “Charlotte loves it.As soon as she plays she comes to life. She played a disco dancing game – it’s really good.”

Charlotte was given a pair of blades last month by Hampshire-based Dorset Ortho-paedic, free as a trial.

As the youngster grows, her family will need to continue fundraising to pay for her prosthetic legs and subsequent blades.

Nick Streeter, the charity’s fundraiser, said: “It’s always great to welcome Charlotte here to our games room – she’s a real bundle of energy.

“Charlotte’s using and enjoying technology and games that let her compete on a level playing field with everyone else. It has a huge positive impact on the whole family’s quality of life “It’s this inclusion aspect that often gets overlooked – the fact that people with disabilities have lives beyond simply ‘being disabled’.

“That’s why SpecialEffect’s mission is to help them to enjoy themselves, by providing the specialist technology, advice and support for everyone to benefit from the fun, friendship and inclusion of video games.”

SpecialEffect also supports accident victims, service personnel with combat injuries, people with congenital and progressive conditions and stroke patients.

A charity football match is being held on Sunday to raise cash for the charity and Charlotte.

The match, between the Oxford United Legends and SpecialEffect All Stars, will feature stars of the footballing world including Oxford United manager Chris Wilder, United’s first team coach Andy Melville and former director of Oxford United Jim Rosenthal.

Mr Nott, an Oxford United fan, said: “I’m quite intrigued to see who turns up because they have kept the team line-ups under wraps.”

The charity match kicks off at 1pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, £2.50 concessions and children under five go free.

Visit specialeffect.org.uk/events/legends or donate by visiting justgiving.com/SpecialEffectVOxfordUnitedLegends