Shamiam received severe burns in the fire at her home

Shamiam Arif was a baby when a candle set bedding on fire at her remote home in the Kotli district, in the part of the region controlled by Pakistan.

Farouk Ahmed, a Dumfries waiter with links to Kashmir, launched an appeal to bring Shamiam to the UK for treatment.

The youngster was in the town on Tuesday to meet fundraisers.

Shamiam suffered terrible burns to her head and upper body in the fire and only just survived.

A support group in Dumfries has so far raised �100,000 to help pay for her medical bills but it believes a total of �450,000 is needed.

Reconstructive work

Shamiam and her family are based in Luton, having first come to the UK for Shamiam's treatment two years ago.

Her first operations closed a gaping wound in her scalp, enabling her to close her eyes and blink, and straightened her arms which had become bent in the fire.

Her most recent operation has given her a pincer-type facility on her left arm which helps her pick things up. A similar procedure is planned for her right arm.

Other operations planned include reconstructive work on her ears and nose.

Dumfries and Galloway Police are involved in the fundraising as Mr Ahmed is one of the force's special constables.