Life-saving surgery for a little Nepalese girl had to be cancelled at the last moment because the operation was considered too risky.

Generous readers of the Oxford Mail's sister paper, the Witney Gazette, dug deep into their pockets to help bring four-year-old Samjhana Timilsana and her father Mukti to this country after Witney couple John Fox and Anna Shepley met the family while on a trekking holiday.

On their return, the couple who work at the Natural Health Clinic in Witney's Corn Street launched the Little Sam appeal and raised nearly 10,000 to provide vital surgery not available in Nepal.

Samjhana, who was born prematurely, has a deformed jaw which makes it impossible for her to eat properly. She was due to have her operation in Bedford Hospital but checks revealed it was too dangerous. Now Samjhana has been referred to London's Great Ormond Street Hospital where she will be seen by a specialist today.

Mr Fox said: "Doctors found that she has a heart murmur, but the real problem is that they cannot get the tubes for anaesthetic down her nose or through her throat because of her deformity.

"If the operation had gone ahead there is a chance she would not have pulled through. However, staff at the Bedford have arranged an appointment at Great Ormond Street.

"All we can do now is wait for the specialist's decision."

Her father said: "I am disappointed that the operation has not gone ahead, but the doctors are doing everything possible."