THE parents of Lydia Cross, the two-year-old who lost her legs after her septicaemia went undiagnosed for three days, have blasted health chiefs for not caring.

Jody and Tony Cross said they have yet to receive a telephone call or letter from the trust and have been relying on family, friends and neighbours in Chippenham for support and even basic equipment for Lydia's care.

Lydia was home in time for Christmas and her parents have been amazed by her good humour which has helped them stay strong.

Mrs Cross, 33, said she and her husband, who is an Army sergeant at the Buckley Barracks in Hullavington, had been 'absolutely shocked' by the lack of concern shown by the Kennet and North Wiltshire Primary Care Trust and the health professionals involved.

"All the time we were in hospital, during Lydia's operation, and now we are back at home, there has been nothing the statement was a complete farce," she said.

"Thankfully our neighbours and family have been wonderful. One neighbour, Sarah Sheath, has loaned me a bed guard to stop Lydia falling out of bed and also a double buggy and a highchair, to make things easier.

"Another neighbour, Michelle Jeffrey, has loaned us a special toilet seat, so we can help Lydia use the loo without her slipping down.

"The trust said it would support us, but we are yet to see or hear of that support," she added. "Maybe it thinks that by offering help, it will be admitting its guilt.

"I could contact the trust and ask for help, but I don't see why I should. The ball is in its court."

Lydia first developed the potentially fatal illness in November, on the same night her baby sister Millie Grace returned home from hospital, after being treated for meningitis.

Just before Christmas, surgeons at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, were left with no choice but to amputate her legs below the knee.

The primary care trust said it has launched an investigation and said yesterday it does not want to comment further until it is complete.

Speaking just before Christmas, chief executive, Stephen Golledge, pledged to give the family all the treatment and support they require.

Mrs Cross said at the end of the day they blamed the doctors for not diagnosing Lydia's condition and feel that if they had, she would probably not have had to lose her legs.

She said the only communication she has received from the health service regarding Lydia's ordeal has come from one of the doctors who saw Lydia. "That came after we'd been on the television, and all it said was that he was looking into Lydia's 'sudden deterioration'."

But the family has been given hope and support by the wife of Sir Paul McCartney.

Mrs Cross said: "It seems that Heather Mills, who lost a leg in an accident, saw Lydia on the television and phoned the top consultant at the prosthetics company she owns in Bournemouth.

"Her press spokesman then called us and told us that an appointment is being made for us to see him in January, with a view to designing Lydia a fabulous, state of the art pair of legs.

"We were just overwhelmed this is the best news we have had in months.

"Lydia knows about this man and thinks that Santa Claus is making a special return trip, just for her, to give her some new legs."

Mrs Cross said the homecoming her family received on Christmas Eve was also breathtaking.

"Our neighbours had decorated the front of our house with balloons and lights. Mark Sheath had also dressed up as Santa Claus and was in a little grotto in the garden with presents for Lydia Tony and I had no time to go shopping for presents. She was thrilled."

Mrs Cross said it had been an awful time. Lydia was so independent and active before her operation. "She seems to be adapting brilliantly she's already crawling from room to room and has great spirit."

But she said at times it is very difficult. "Like over Christmas, when two five year old girls who live in our street came around to play with her and had roller boots on. Straight away, I looked at Lydia and caught my breath, wondering how she would take it seeing them, skating around but she just laughed and carried on as normal.

"A couple of times I have felt myself well up, but then I look at her, see how she's coping and know we have to get on as normally as possible, for her sake."

Gazette readers have already started donating to our appeal for Lydia. If you would like to contribute please fill in the coupon in this week's Gazette.