Last picture of little Catherine

This is the last picture taken of little Catherine-Louise Burrows just eight minutes before she suffered serious head injuries in a road accident in Stafford.

She is smiling in the picture taken in St Austin's Roman Catholic Church by her mother Rebecca at the end of her school's carol concert on December 18.

After leaving the church, five-year-old Catherine-Louise, known as Lulu, and 28-year-old Rebecca, were hit by a Mitsubishi 4x4 as they crossed the A449 Wolverhampton Road.

Her brother Chris Burrows retrieved the camera after the accident with the poignant photograph.

Just 48 hours ago Rebecca, of Wordsworth Avenue, Highfields, was allowed out of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where she had been since the accident.

She has had three major operations on a pelvis that was broken in seven places and a compound fracture to her right leg.

Blessed Mother Teresa Primary School pupil Catherine-Louise remains at the hospital but she may be transferred to the specialist Tadworth Children's Trust Hospital in Surrey.

She has regained consciousness but is still unable to talk or swallow unaided. As a result, the family has been told she could face another 18 months in hospital.

Rebecca's mother, Maria Burrows, of Dryden Crescent, Highfields, said her daughter was staying with them until she was strong enough to go home.

She is confined to a wheelchair and faces having a metal bar in her leg for three months and will then have to learn to walk again.

Rebecca was back at the hospital today to be with her daughter.

"We are having a meeting on Monday to take the decision with the doctors on moving to the Surrey hospital, I hope she can go there," she said.

If she is moved Rebecca will be able to keep an eye on her through a webcam.

Police are still investigating the accident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.