WHEN teenager Georgia Smorfitt was diagnosed with a condition twisting her spine, she thought she would have to give up her favourite activity — cheerleading for Didcot Diamonds.

But in February the 13-year-old underwent major spinal surgery to correct scoliosis, a curvature of the spine.

Following a successful operation, in which she had metal rods fitted to her spine, she has rejoined her team-mates who train at Willowbrook Leisure Centre on the Ladygrove estate.

The team is now preparing to compete against some of the best squads in the country in Eastbourne, where 1,000 cheerleaders will take part in the British Cheerleading Association’s Classic Cheerleading Championships on November 5 and November 6.

Georgia, from Tweed Drive, Didcot, starting cheerleading in 2008.

The Didcot Girls’ School pupil said: “When I found out I needed an operation I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to do any cheerleading but now I am really glad to be back.

“My friends in the team said they were looking forward to me coming back and I’m pleased that I can still join in.

“The girls are aged 12 to 19 and there are about 30 in my squad.”

Georgia lives with mum Rebecca Kelloway, 38, stepdad Paul Kelloway, 38, and brother Louie, 16.

Mrs Kelloway said: “Georgia has bounced back really well after surgery and started training with Didcot Diamonds about a month ago.

“The operation to attach a metal rod either side of her spine went well at Oxford Children’s Hospital and the surgeons were fantastic.

“Georgia can’t do activities like trampolining but cheerleading is not a problem.

“She is now getting ready to compete at Eastbourne and is really looking forward to it.

“When Georgia first got this she found walking for long periods, or long car journeys quite painful.

“It was horrible when Georgia was first diagnosed and we expected the worst but now we are amazed eight months after the operation she is back doing what she loves.”

Mrs Kelloway said her daughter was first diagnosed in May 2010 after she experienced difficulty standing straight when she was trying on a dress for a wedding. She added: “This is not a condition that only occurs at birth — it mainly affects girls between the ages of 10 and 12.

“I’ve done some research on this but in Georgia’s case there was not a clear answer on why this happened.”

Didcot Diamonds head coach Sue Hadley-Cross said: “All the girls and I were thrilled when Georgia came back. At first she was just doing all the dance parts but now she is in a front spot and it’s fantastic to see her doing so well.

“All the girls who know she’s been through major surgery are so inspired by her attitude returning to cheerleading.”

Didcot Diamonds will take a team of 72 girls and two boys to the championships.

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine in which the spinal column can twist, pulling the ribcage out of position. For further information, visit Scoliosis Association UK website sauk.org.uk