The elusive cure to a girl’s mystery illness could be a step nearer after a Kent Messenger story sparked a global response.

Earlier this month, the Kent Messenger told the story of Natalie Cooper, a Maidstone girl whose undiagnosed condition apparently prevents her from eating anything but Tic tacs, and at one point forced her weight down to five stone.

The story led to worldwide media coverage of “the Tic tac girl” and drew huge public interest at home and abroad.

Offers of sympathy and help came from as far afield as America, increasing Natalie’s hopes of finding a cure to the condition which makes her reject food whenever she eats.

Natalie was surprised by the huge media frenzy, which began with a front page picture in the Kent Messenger and led to appearances on America’s CBS TV channel and Fox News.

She said: “It was a big surprise to see it on the front page. We thought it was just going to be a tiny article. Suddenly I had loads of people asking me questions.”

The 17-year-old said she was more worried about people finding out at school, where she had kept her illness largely a secret, than America.

“No one in America knows me. I was a bit iffy about TV but you just think you might as well go on it.

“It’s a bit of a hassle, but I don’t mind doing it because someone might come forward to help.”