HEART transplant girl Sally Slater's artistic talents have ensured a dream Christmas that her parents once feared she might never see.

A Christmas card designed by the youngster, whose plight touched the hearts of millions earlier this year, will soon be dropping on the doormats of the country's top decision-makers.

Sally's victory in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's competition has capped a remarkable year for the seven-year-old, who was pictured in March clinging to life in a hospital bed after being struck down by a mystery virus which attacked her heart muscles.

With hope running out despite a massive nationwide appeal, parents Jon and Bridget's prayers were answered at the 11th hour by an anonymous family.

Now, Sally, of Kirkby Malham, North Yorkshire, is looking forward to a special Christmas.

Mr Slater said yesterday: "She's always liked her drawing and painting, so this is a nice little touch for her at the end of the year.

"At one stage, we had probably got to a point where we thought we would never have another Christmas with her, so this one will be absolutely fantastic."

Sally shares the honours in the park authority's competition with nine-year-old Emma Winterburn, of the Boyle and Petyt primary school. Their efforts were judged joint winners by authority staff, ahead of 110 other entries, having best captured this year's theme of A Winter's Dale.

Education officer Bill Wood said: "Emma and Sally should be extremely proud of themselves."

The two designs have been incorporated into the Yorkshire Dales official Christmas card