A seriously ill Lincoln girl has had her wish come true by meeting her superstar idol Kylie Minogue.

Katie, eight, was diagnosed with the genetic life-shortening illness cystic fibrosis when she was just 18 months-old.

She has to take between 30 and 40 tablets a day as well as twice daily physiotherapy, sessions with a breathing mask, and has had lots of treatment at Lincoln County Hospital.

It was her consultant paediatrician Dr Robert Groggins who put her name forward to the Starlight Children's Foundation which organised the meeting with Kylie after asking what her wish would be.

The charity heard that despite her continuing treatment Katie remains remarkably upbeat and never complains about her illness even when she is feeling unwell.

Katie, her mum Valerie Allen, 36, and brother Alexander, 13, travelled from Woodfield Avenue, Birchwood, to London's Hyde Park where they chatted to Kylie for 20 minutes backstage at an Abba tribute concert.

And the highlight of the concert was seeing Kylie at the end surrounded by fireworks.

"Kylie was brilliant with us – going right down to Katie's level and talking about everything from Katie's illness to her own family," Katie's mum said.

"Katie was so made up it was unbelievable.

"She talks about it all the time."

Katie, who goes to Hartsholme Primary School, is now even more of a Kylie fan than before and feeling much more confident about the future.

"The best bit about the day was meeting Kylie – and there wasn't a worst bit," Katie, whose favourite Kylie songs are Spinning Around and Can't Get You Out of My Head.

"It was amazing to meet her in person and talk for so long."

To find out how to donate to Starlight, see Monday's Echo.

thisislincolnshire.co.uk