IT looks set to be a bright start to the New Year for one disabled Bromsgrove youngster whose five-year education battle has finally come to an end - with a long-awaited victory.

Karis Lane and her mum, Karen, have been battling with Worcestershire County Council over the 11-year-old's schooling.

But now, after being out of school since October 1999 - when the High Court ruled the authority did not have to pay £40,000 per year tuition fees for Infield Manor private residential school, in Sussex - she will put on a new uniform and begin at Treloars School, in Alton, Hampshire, next week.

It follows a tribunal ruling in November, which said the county council will have to pay more than £42,000 each year for her to attend Treloars, which caters for children from 11 to 16.

Karis, who featured in the Advertiser/Messenger earlier this month when she went on a magical trip-of-a-lifetime to Lapland to see Santa, suffers from cerebral palsy, Turner's syndrome and Aspergers syndrome.

She received first class treatment on the trip and even met former tv soap-star star Ian Mercer, who played Gary Mallett in Coronation Street, who went along with two of his children.

Speaking to the Advertiser/Messenger Karis said: "I am absolutely flabbergasted, after all we've gone through I am now really looking forward to doing new things and making new friends, I can't wait to start my new school."

Her mum Karen added: "This will be a fantastic opportunity for Karis to build up her independence and friendships, allowing her to feel part of things again."

A Worcestershire County Council spokesman declined to comment.