AN 18-month-old is back home after undergoing a heart transplant that saved her life.

Four months ago, Martha Andersen's family were told she had just a few hours to live.

But after an eleventh hour transplant, she has been released from hospital and has had a joyful reunion with her twin sister, Matilda, and older brother Harry, six.

Their parents, Carl, 37, and Gillian Andersen, of Edmundbyers, near Consett, County Durham, endured an agonising wait for a donor.

But on March 9, their prayers were answered when a grieving family in the Midlands decided to donate the heart of their son.

"It's wonderful having her home, just amazing," said Mrs Andersen, 35. "Words cannot describe how I feel towards the family who donated the heart of their child.

"That was the day my daughter was given some hope when all theirs had gone. Without them, she would not be alive today.

"From now on, every time we celebrate Christmas or a birthday with Martha, I will think of that little boy and his family."

Doctors discovered Martha had dilated cardiomyopathy, which meant her heart was not pumping blood properly and it had started to expand, putting dangerous pressure on her lungs.

She was stabilised with drugs after five days and allowed home, but in January her condition deteriorated and her mother raced her back to hospital.

"Within about ten minutes of arriving, Martha was in intensive care and the doctors were saying she only had a couple of hours to live. She was in the final stages of heart failure and we thought that was it," said Mrs Andersen.

She was attached to a £100,000 machine to do the work of her heart until the transplant.

"Agreeing to donate an organ is the single most selfless thing anyone can do and there are so many children, just like Martha, who need that. We would urge people to consider it or sign the register," said Mrs Andersen

Freeman transplant co-ordinator Lynn Holt said: "One of the biggest problems is being offered hearts for children at the right time when they are needed, because a baby with heart failure needs a baby's or child's heart.

"We do know babies and toddlers die for various reasons and, for us, it's about hoping any parent in that situation would consider donating their child's organs. We're so grateful to the families who do."