AS the parents of a baby girl appealed for a transplant which could save her life, the queue for hearts and lungs in the region has reached record levels.

Amanda and Mark Dale, from Stoke-on-Trent, have been told that a heart transplant at the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle, is the only option left for their 13-month-old daughter, Libby.

The youngster is being treated at the Diana Princess of Wales Children's Hospital, in Birmingham, for a rare heart condition, which means that she will die within months without a transplant.

Officials at the Freeman Hospital said they were hopeful that a new heart could be found for Libby, as few babies are waiting for organs.

However, the regional outlook for adults waiting for life-saving heart and lung transplants is becoming increasingly gloomy because of a slump in the number of operations being carried out at the Tyneside unit.

Despite the problems, officials at the Department of Health said they were very encouraged by a huge surge in the number of people joining the register of organ donors during February.

Even after the bad publicity surrounding the Alder Hey organ scandal, the number of people joining the register rose by 80,656 during February, compared to an average monthly increase of 15,000.

The Freeman normally has about 100 adults waiting for a heart or lung transplant. But after a slow start to the year that figure has reached 135.

Lyn Holt, a heart and lung transplant coordinator at the Newcastle unit, said: "It is the most we have ever had in the queue for hearts and lungs."

While the unit is receiving donor offers, the number of transplants going ahead has dipped.

"We are getting offers, but some are not suitable and we could always do with more," said Ms Holt.

So far this year the Freeman has carried out nine heart or lung transplants, which is fewer than the same time last year.

"More patients on the list have died this month than we have transplanted," said Mrs Holt.

Mrs Dale, who is a nurse, said: "We would just like to bring organ donation to the forefront of people's minds - for Libby's sake and for other children awaiting transplants."

For information about registering, ring (0845 6060400), or visit the website at www.nhsorgandonor.net