The family of a British teacher who was paralysed after she fell 20ft from a balcony in Thailand have launched a crowdfunder to bring her back to the UK.

Jill Dodds, 47, suffered spinal injuries after a balcony collapsed when she was taking pictures with a friend at a party to celebrate the end of term on 18 December.

Her sister Katie Breeze, 39, said she initially had no movement in her legs and limited movement in her arms after suffering crushed vertebrae when she landed on a skip, the BBC reported.

But her condition has improved slightly following an operation, regaining sensation in her legs and some movement in her arms.

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Breeze, from Northumberland, said her sister didn't have sufficient insurance and her family is now raising money on GoFundMe to pay for her treatment and transfer back to the UK.

In an update on Thursday, Breeze wrote: “Jill is getting moved to a private room where she will have 24-hour care. She has started having more jolts in her legs which is a good sign.

“She is slowing regaining more use of her arms. Hopefully soon she will start to get some physio on her legs.”

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Dodds, who moved from Northumberland to Thailand in 2015, will know her long term prognosis in the next few days, Breeze confirmed.

She added once this was known they could start making arrangements to move her to another hospital for treatment or fly her back to Britain.

More than £18,000 of the £20,000 total has been raised on the GoFundMe page.

The fundraiser was set up on behalf of Dodds’ mum who has not yet been able to fly to Thailand.

Watch: Thailand tightens border restrictions, suspends most quarantine-free entry