A BABY who became Britain's youngest successful heart transplant patient celebrated her 18th birthday yesterday.

Kaylee Davidson, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, made medical history in 1987 when, aged only five months, she underwent a life-saving heart swap at The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

She suffered from a viral condition called cardiomyopathy, which destroys the heart muscle, and would have died without the operation.

She celebrated reaching adulthood with a fundraising lunch at Newcastle Civic Centre, with families of other organ recipients.

Kaylee, a fit and healthy performing arts student, will represent Great Britain in the summer's World Transplant Games, in Canada.

She said: "I can't believe that I am 18 and I am looking forward to the Northern Transplant Charity Ball on Saturday where I am a special guest.

"I often think about my donor family and can't thank them enough for the second chance I was given to live."

Kaylee is studying for a BTec national diploma in performing arts and dance at Shiney Row College, near Sunderland, and says her life could not be better.

"I grew up with the feeling that I was special and I do feel lucky to be alive.

"If anyone is thinking about becoming a donor, I hope they will see me as some kind of inspiration. I have a wonderful life but I would have died if it hadn't been for someone's else's kindness."

Her mother, Carol, said: "Time has passed so quickly, I can hardly believe that Kaylee is 18 years old.

"It just seems like yesterday that we were so desperately worried when she was so poorly.

"Kaylee is a fantastic example of life after transplantation and we will be eternally grateful to the decision of the donor family who so generously donated at a tragic time in their own life.

"Donor families are very special people.

"We hope that her courage and her vibrant personality will spur people to talk about organ donation with their families and register on the NHS Donor Register."

For more information, visit the website or contact the Organ Donor Line on 0845 60 60 400.