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In many ways, Hayley Okines is just like any other little girl. She loves watching cartoons, playing with her sisters' make-up and dancing to Kylie Minogue's pop songs.

But one thing sets Hayley apart. She suffers from the ageing disease progeria - a condition so rare it affects only one child in eight million. At age six, Hayley is the size of a two-year-old, but her internal organs are like those of someone nearing 50. She suffers from arthritis, her facial features are pinched and she is completely bald. And tragically, she is not expected to live past her 13th birthday.

So Hayley's parents, Mark Okines and Kerry Button, have decided to make their daughter's short life a truly special one. They're determined to make as many of her wishes come true as possible - and fortunately a pint- sized Australian pop star was on hand to help.

'Hayley worships Kylie Minogue,' says Kerry. 'Ever since she was tiny she's loved singing along to her songs, and copying the dance routines when she sees her on the telly.'

So when Hayley was entered for a courage award and had to nominate her greatest wish, Kerry, 30, didn't hesitate in filling in 'To meet Kylie Minogue'. She thought no more of it, and continued with her busy life, caring for Hayley, and her two-year-old brother, Louis. They live in Bexhill, Sussex, with Stacey, 13, the younger of Mark's two daughters from a previous relationship (Charlotte, 18, lives nearby with her mum).

But one day, they received a phone call. 'The lady on the phone said Kylie had heard about Hayley and wanted to meet her,' recalls Kerry.

Once a date was set, Mark and Kerry sat Hayley down and asked, 'What would be your dream come true?' She replied, 'To meet Kylie.' 'It was an amazing moment,' remembers Kerry. 'I told her, "Well, she wants to meet you too."'

Mark and Kerry bought Hayley a smart new outfit and set off for Kylie's rehearsal studio in London. 'All her band and dancers were there. There were men in high-heeled boots and red masks - Hayley's eyes were on stalks. And then we saw Kylie - she was tiny, but stunningly beautiful.

'Hayley went running straight up to her, Kylie picked her up and off she went,' says Kerry.

Kylie carried Hayley round the studio, introducing her to her band and dancers, then invited the family to stay and watch her rehearse. 'It was amazing,' says Kerry. 'She did her whole routine, and Hayley sat there mimicking all the dance moves. During Can't Get You Out of My Head, Kylie turned round and waved at Hayley. It was so sweet.'

The family returned to Bexhill and a few days later, a parcel of presents arrived from Kylie. 'It was lovely of her,' says Kerry. 'My next plan is to get Hayley to meet crocodile hunter Steve Irwin. She's obsessed with him. I heard her ask Kylie, "You live in Australia, don't you? Do you know where Steve Irwin and his alligators live?" Kylie just laughed.'

Since meeting Kylie, Hayley has been busy. She's met Richard and Judy, Lorraine Kelly and Ross Kemp, as well as appearing in several documentaries, including one in the Extraordinary People series on five.

'We've done a lot of publicity stuff, but we do it for Hayley, not for us,' explains Kerry. 'She loves it, and I want to make her feel special. Now, when people walk down the street, they don't go, "There's that little girl who looks like a witch." They go, "There's Hayley." And that's what I want for her.'

Mark and Kerry haven't told Hayley the whole truth about her life expectancy. 'She asked me once what will happen when she dies and I said, "You'll go to heaven and you won't have progeria any more." She said, "Yes! That means I'll have long blonde hair like Kylie's." But if she asked, "Am I going to die?" I'd say, "Everyone dies one day, love."

'There is a research foundation, so we do hold on to a little bit of hope. I doubt they will find a cure in Hayley's lifetime, but by raising awareness of the condition, we might be able to help another child.'

The Child Who Is Older Than Her Mother: Extraordinary People is coming soon on five

What is progeria?

Progeria is a rare condition caused by a fault in the gene that protects us against ageing. It interferes with the cell 'clock' - the speed and number of times our cells replace themselves. Research into finding a cure is focusing on this area. Because of this accelerated ageing, a child of 10 will have similar lung, heart and arthritic conditions to an 80-year-old.