TILLY Merrell arrived back home in Warndon yesterday afternoon after three weeks of medical tests in America that have changed her life.

The plucky eight-year-old had been fed by a tube for seven-and-a-half years after being diagnosed with Isolated Bulbar Palsy - a rare condition that caused food to enter her lungs instead of her stomach.

But the Worcester News revealed on Friday that Tilly, from Borrowfield Road, tucked into a burger followed by ice cream after doctors at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital in San Francisco found nothing wrong with her - apart from enlarged tonsils.

Tilly is now eagerly waiting to go back to Warndon Junior School where she will be able to enjoy school dinners with her friends for the first time in her life.

Tilly's grandma Sonia Merrell - who was in America with Tilly, Tilly's mum Amelia and her partner Mark, Tilly's sister Megan and granddad Trevor - told the Worcester News yesterday that the family were still coming back down to earth after being told the amazing news two weeks ago.

"It's only just sunk in," she said.

"She added Tilly had been working with occupational therapists for the last two weeks who have been monitoring her eating.

"She has been eating fine and is really enjoying her food," she added.

"Now she just can't wait to go back to school on Tuesday."

The exhausted family will be talking to the Worcester News this afternoon after a well-deserved rest.

Read tomorrow's paper to see how we welcomed Tilly back into the Faithful City.