The family of a Hainault schoolgirl girl left paralysed from the waist down after she was shot in the chest by gang members have been offered financial and housing aid by Redbridge council.

Thusha Kamaleswaran, of Tomswood Hill was just five years old when a bullet hit her as she danced along the aisle of her uncle’s shop in Stockwell, south London.

Having recently been discharged after a year long stay in hospital, her family are now receiving help to identify and adapt a new home that is more suited to their daughter’s needs.

A council spokesman said: “The council is trying to do everything it can to help the Kamaleswaran family through this extremely difficult time.

“This has included providing �400 towards travel costs to assist travel to hospital, offering housing advice and support, finding an appropriate placement at a local school and securing a suitable property which will now be adapted.

“A suitable school place has been confirmed and it is expected that this will begin once the family have settled into their adapted property.”

Thusha is thought to have regained slight feeling in her legs and the ability to occasionally move her toes.

However, father Jeyakumar has reportedly told her she will be out of her wheelchair in time for her birthday in July, despite being informed by doctors that she is permanently paralysed.

An eviction notice was served on the family after they found themselves in significant arrears and failed to respond to letters from the council.

But after making contact, the family has now agreed a payment plan and reduced their arrears in order to stay in their home.

On March 23, Nathaniel Grant, 21, Kazeem Kolawole, 19, and Anthony McCalla, 20, were all convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent of attempted murder of their inteded victim at the Old Bailey.

They will be sentenced on April 19.