A four-year-old girl almost lost her legs when they turned black after she contracted a rare condition triggered by chicken pox.

Bo August, from Worcester, spent two-and-a-half months in hospital and underwent three skin grafts after catching the normally harmless illness.

The youngster was diagnosed with a rare disorder called purpura fulminans, which was brought on by a bout of chicken pox.

Doctors said the antibodies released by her body to fight off chicken pox caused a deficiency of a protein called 'S', which led to her blood not being able to clot properly.

As a result, blood clots can form within the blood vessels of the skin, resulting in necrosis - the death of the flesh.

Her parents, Julia and Dan, were told to prepare for a possible amputation and even warned that the condition was life-threatening.

But thankfully, although Bo was forced to learn to walk again after being in a wheelchair, she has now made a full recovery.

The ordeal began when Bo caught chicken pox in February this year, and began complaining her legs were hurting.

Her parents then noticed she was struggling to walk.

When bruises started to show up on her body on February 25, she was rushed to the children's ward at the Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Her parents were horrified when they woke up the next day and discovered huge black bruises had covered both her legs and the soles of her feet.

A consultant diagnosed her with purpura fulminans and Bo was sent to Birmingham Children's Hospital where she was rushed into intensive care.

The youngster, who was given a staggering 12 general anaesthetics, underwent three skin grafts and was given plasma exchanges between March and April.

She had to learn to walk again after spending time in a wheelchair and has been told she has to wear compression tights for the next year.

But incredibly, Bo has now made a full recovery. 

She is back running around with her friends at nursery and is even confident enough to show them her scars.

Her parents say they are thoroughly relieved as doctors told them their daughter could have lost a limb - or even her life - as a result of the rare condition.