The mother of a girl believed to be London’s smallest three-year-old has spoken of her pride on the eve of her daughter's first day at nursery.

Nailah Shah is one of only 250 people worldwide with primordial dwarfism and she also has Schimke Immuno Osseous Dysplasia, a condition characterised partly by small stature.

She is 67cm tall, weighs under one stone and suffers from a number of related health problems.

Nailah recently had two hip operations, which means she currently has to use a wheelchair.

But her mother Shahenaz, of Beaumont Road in Leyton, is determined that her daughter lives as normal a life as possible and she has praised Dawlish Primary School in Jesse Road, Leyton, for its support.

Mrs Shah said: “We want her to have as normal a life as possible; we don’t want her to feel that she’s different so we decided mainstream schooling would be best for her.

"The school has done a lot to make life as easy as possible for her."

She added that Nailah’s five-year-old brother, Hanif, who she draws confidence from, is at the school too.

The Walking With Giants Foundation has supported Nailah's family by putting them in touch with genetic specialists from around the world.

And the charity’s John Connerty said he believed Nailah would live a rewarding life.

“She is definitely the smallest girl in London for her age, and possibly will be for years to come,” he said.

“Little Nailah’s gone through a lot in her early years but with the support of her mum, who is one of the most positive parents we’ve ever come across, we know she will reach her full potential.”