A teenager who has defied doctors by surviving a string of health problems has celebrated her 16th birthday.

Sarah Swanborough sang and danced at a family party to mark the milestone -- 16 years after doctors said she would not survive past infancy.

The severely disabled youngster has been described as a "living miracle" by her mother, former Didcot mayoress Janet Dineen, who has paid tribute to her daughter's cheerfulness and dogged determination to overcome a string of disabilities.

Sarah was born weighing 10lbs 4oz, while Mrs Dineen was suffering from the condition pre-eclampsia.

Mrs Dineen, 43, said: "Because of oxygen starvation, Sarah was 'born dead' and had to be revived in the John Radcliffe Hospital's special care baby unit where she spent her first four days."

Despite this and a bout of jaundice, both Sarah and her mother were able to return home after ten days. But after six weeks, more problems set in.

Mrs Dineen, of King Walk, Didcot, said: "It was 18 months before it was discovered Sarah was brain damaged and epileptic."

Her health deteriorated and by the age of 10 doctors had diagnosed Kypho Scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, resulting in a very deformed back and chest which severely affects her heart and lungs.

Mrs Dineen said the condition had meant Sarah, who attends the Kingfisher School for children with special needs at Abingdon, going back and forth to Oxford hospitals.

Surgeons eventually carried out a 12-hour operation to insert metal rods in Sarah's back, despite Sarah being given just a one-in-ten chance of survival.

For a time after the operation, Sarah, who is confined to a wheelchair, managed to walk a few steps.

But over the past four years she has become increasingly poorly and less mobile.

Mrs Dineen said: "She is a bubbly, cheeky youngster who enjoys life and is full of fun most of the time."