A LITTLE girl with cerebral palsy has been introduced to a "whole new world" thanks to generous workers at a York food factory.

Car journeys were always an ordeal for 21-month-old Lucy Branton, who suffered brain damage in the womb, and who now has cerebral palsy, global development delay, which affects her progress, and epilepsy.

Traditional car seats are unsuitable for Lucy, who cannot sit up properly or support herself, and her parents Leigh and Leeann Branton, of Lilbourne Drive, Clifton, York, were unable to afford a specialised seat.

So when Mr Branton's colleagues at Fisher Foods, at Skelton, heard about this they organised a collection, arranged a charity night and a raffle - and raised £530 for the seat.

Leeann said life had changed dramatically for the couple, who also have a four-year-old daughter, Chloe, and she thanked everyone who helped.

She said: "It means that I'm not worrying that we will have an accident - the other car seat we had wouldn't have been safe.

"And it means we can go for days out, whereas before it was short journeys.

"She didn't like the car, but now she can see out the window and sit up properly - it's a whole new world for Lucy."

Updated: 10:55 Friday, September 28, 2001