A teenager living with a serious condition had her greatest wish granted when she got to visit giant pandas at Edinburgh Zoo.

Abbie Best, 15, of Rucklers Lane, Kings Langley, is currently living with genetic condition cystic fibrosis, which affects both the digestive system and the lungs, meaning she frequently suffers from chest infections.

She was diagnosed with her condition at birth and has since had several complications from the illness, including two collapsed lungs, and has been admitted to hospital several times.

To treat her illness, she has to take daily medication as well as perform physiotherapy, however there is no cure.

Alongside coping with her condition, Miss Best has a real passion for animals, especially Pandas, which was the inspiration for her greatest wish.

When applying to Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity for her wish, her mother Diane said: “It has always been Abbie’s wish to see pandas in the flesh and I think that it would be fantastic for her to be able to go to Edinburgh Zoo to see the ones they have there.

“Abbie has had a tough few years, it would be lovely to give her something special to look forward to.”

To make her wish come true, the charity organised for Miss Best and her family to travel to Edinburgh, where they spent two days sight-seeing in the famous Scottish city, including taking a trip to Edinburgh Zoo, the home of the UK’s only giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang – which translates to ‘sunshine’.

Upon arrival at Edinburgh Zoo, the family got to explore the area, looking at all the different animals before getting to see Miss Best’s favourite animals up close at the panda viewing.

After this, the family got the opportunity to watch the penguin parade, and to finish were treated to a ‘close encounters’ experience, where they got the chance to spend some time with a zookeeper and take part in some animal handling.

The trip gave Miss Best the chance to forget about her illness for a short while and to gain some valuable and unforgettable memories with her family.

After her wish, her mother said: “Thank you so much to the charity for granting Abbie’s wish to see the pandas. We had the best weekend in such a beautiful city.”