A mother who last year brought Polish physiotherapists to Oxfordshire so her disabled daughter could have daily treatment says her new clinic has become a success.

Polish physiotherapists Filip and Gosia Swietlik work with Calum Greenfields

Pippa Hoyer Millar travelled the world to find care for 12-year-old Minty, who was born with cerebral palsy.

Minty was unable to walk until she started having intensive Rondo therapy, in Poland.

It was so successful that her mother was determined to bring it to the UK so other youngsters could experience the benefits.

In September, Mrs Hoyer Millar launched the Footsteps Clinic, run by physiotherapists Filip and Gosia Swietlik in converted outbuildings at her farmhouse in Newington, near Wallingford. They treat children from all over the south of England.

Mrs Hoyer Millar said: "We've been fairly busy, but it's still difficult letting people know about it. We do three week-long intensive programmes for four children at a time.

"We're fully booked for the next five weeks and the children really enjoy it.

"Minty has therapy every day and she's certainly progressed. Now she's walking really well. The therapists can get a lot more out of the children because they make it such good fun."

Cerebral palsy is a condition affecting movement, posture and coordination, caused by a brain defect, which can leave people unable to walk, talk or control their everyday movements.

During Rondo therapy, which costs £400 a week, patients are fitted with a harness around their torso, which is attached by bungee cords to a frame, suspending them but allowing them to move independently.

They are then able to take part in exercises to improve their balance and posture.

Calum Greenfields, 10, has been having daily sessions at Footsteps since the clinic opened. His mother Jo, 37, of Wharf Road, Shillingford, said: "Calum was born at 29 weeks and all four of his limbs are affected by cerebral palsy, although one side is weaker.

"All four limbs are affected and for him it's an ability issue. He can walk short distances, but for long distances he uses a wheelchair.

"He goes to Footsteps every day after school and is getting on really well. We can definitely see a difference in his posture and he's now got calf muscles, which he's never had before. He also used to wear splints, and now he doesn't use them.

"It's really worked well for Calum. He's never going to run like Linford Christie, but that's never what we expected anyway."

Mother-of-four Mrs Greenfields said she had resorted to using Rondo therapy because NHS physiotherapy was in short supply.

She said: "We're lucky we can try this. You just don't get physio on the NHS, because their budget is being cut more and more.

"The physiotherapists are absolutely brilliant and want to help, but they can't."

More information about Footsteps is available by calling 01865 891056.