Brave Skye Swinton, 4, takes her first steps thanks to revolutionary new spinal treatment

Her brave story captured the hearts of millions across the country.

And now four-year-old Skye Swinton is set to break hearts again, after taking her first proper steps following her revolutionary spinal surgery.

The brave tot underwent the complex operation thanks to the generosity of Britain's biggest lottery winners, who stumped up the £28,000 needed to perform the surgery.

And thanks to Chris and Colin Weir, who dipped into their £161 million EuroMillions jackpot, Skye has now taken her first tentative steps with the aid of walking sticks.

Her mum Ruth, 39, is hoping that soon Skye will be able to walk completely unaided and go on to live a normal life.

The Weirs made the pledge after desperate Ruth wrote a letter asking for help when her local NHS trust refused funding.

But she was stunned when a phone call confirmed the pair - who became Britain's biggest single jackpot winners last year - would stump up the cash.

Little Skye is already walking more steadily with the help of her walking sticks - each step one closer to running around the playground with her school pals.

Ruth, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, said: "The operation was a success and so far she making good progress.

"She is already walking better, which is fantastic, and where her muscles were tight before, it has taken that away.

"She had to lie flat for 48 hours after the operation, but now she is moving well and can already notice the difference.

"In the past she couldn't move her toes very easily whereas now she can. We're really pleased with how it went, and of course extremely grateful to everyone who made it possible."

Skye was born 13 weeks premature weighing just 1lb 15oz and suffers from spastic diplegic cerebral palsy, which has largely confined her to a wheelchair.

She was unsteady on her feet, unable to go walk any distance without tiring and dreamed of walking and running like other children.

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Her family and friends managed to raise £12,000 for the pioneering operation but were still a long way from the £40,000 total needed.

So Ruth wrote to Chris and Colin, of North Ayrshire in Scotland, and persuaded them to donate the rest of the cash.

The operation at Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, took four hours to complete and although the procedure has been carried out in the US for many years, it is new to the UK.

Without the operation - which involves partially cutting the nerve roots where they join the spinal cord to loosen the muscles - she would have needed major corrective surgery in a few years and faced spending lots of her time in her wheelchair.

Ruth, a full-time carer for Skye, said she could already see the difference in her little girl.

"The way moved before put a lot of strain on joints and muscles which would have led to long-term problems," she added.

"Now she is walking properly with the help of a tripod and she is getting stronger all the time.

"We hope within a couple of months she will be able to walk unaided. Certainly in the long term the operation will have a big impact on improving her quality of life.

"Skye is in very positive spirits too which is wonderful to see."

In a statement Mr and Mrs Weir - who scooped their jackpot in July 2011 - said they hoped their donation would allow the Swinton family to concentrate on Skye's welfare.

They said: "Skye faces many challenges in the next year and she needs her mum and dad to be focused on her.

"That's why we've given a donation. Without the additional worry and pressure of fundraising, their time can be spent on Skye."