A young musician who was told to stop playing her violin, or face a lifetime of pain, discomfort, and even death, has overcome her complicated spinal condition.

Twelve-year-old Jenny Clarke from Northwood has scoliosis, which causes her spine to curve sideways.

She was told that she would have to give up playing her violin, as it was an asymmetrical activity and would cause her condition to get rapidly worse.

The current treatment is to wait until the curve becomes so severe, that the only option left is to operate, with metal rods inserted either side of the spine.

However, with a course of exercises from a Scoliosis clinic in London, she has managed to shrug off the condition and is able to once again pick up her instrument.

Jenny, of Grove Road, said: “Since treatment I am completely pain free, something I am ecstatic about. The main thing I am grateful for is being able to pursue my dreams of becoming a professional musician and being able to practice playing my violin without being distracted by constant back pain.”

Scoliosis affects more than four percent of the population, and if left untreated can cause fatal heart and lung problems.