A 12 year old Spanish girl has become the youngest patient in Europe to be fitted with a bionic hand.

The advanced prosthetic device enables Carlota, who was born with a congenital amputation of her left forearm, to use a computer keyboard, open bottles or pick up even small items such as a coin or a CD.

Carlota, a patient at the Sant Joan de Deu Hospital in Barcelona, who until three weeks ago had been using a myoelectric metallic claw, has adapted quickly to the new prosthesis that will eventually be fitted with a skin-like glove to make it appear even more natural.

The prosthesis was successfully fitted for the first time in Spain - to an adult patient in Valencia - last week.

They cost around €40,000 euros each and were developed by the Scottish company, Touch Bionics.