A BRIDPORT teenager born with a rare liver disease has gone on the 'trip of a lifetime' to Florida.

Lily Vincent, 13, was one of 192 children who jetted off to America courtesy of Dreamflight for ten days filled with diners, dolphins and comedy double act Dick and Dom.

They visited a host of attractions, including SeaWorld, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal Studios.

During their penultimate trip, the children got the opportunity swim with dolphins at Discovery Cove in Orlando on Sunday.

Lily celebrated her 13th birthday whilst on the trip and said: “It’s pretty good to spend my birthday in Orlando, I’ve made a lot of friends.

“When we were gliding along the water it was kind of cold and it was really weird being so close to (the dolphins) but also kind of cool.

"The holiday has been so fun, my mum is very jealous: everything has been great, I wish I could stay a bit longer to tan more."

Lily's mum, Amy, said it was the "best holiday ever" and Lily had "an amazing time".

Amy said: "She's had an amazing time, and made a lovely group of friends and it's nice to see her happy, smiley and refreshed. She doesn't look stressed, she doesn't look tired and she's just had so much fun and is still on the high, really, I think it'll take some time for normality to sink in."

Lily was chosen for the trip, having been born with a rare liver disease, after being referred by a community nurse.

Amy said: "We hadn't heard anything so kind of thought she hadn't got it. It must have been on a Friday morning and a massive letter came through - my heart was racing and when she got back from school she opened and she was absolutely made up. Dreamflight make kids dreams come true, they really do."

Lily, who attends Sir John Colfox Academy, had spent two and a half years on a transplant waiting list prior to her operation in the summer of 2020 - meaning this was the first "proper holiday" the youngster was able to go in nearly five years.

More than 6,000 children from across the country have been involved in Dreamflight holidays since the first one in 1987.

This is the 34th trip put on by the charity, costing £1 million.