A TEENAGER is getting ready to celebrate Christmas a year after she was struck by a life-threatening condition.

Rachel Wakeford was a healthy, happy girl until last December when she caught a virus and developed cardiomyopathy, a rare heart condition.

Last Christmas, she was too tired and ill to enjoy the festivities and in January underwent a heart transplant.

Just six months after the operation, Rachel, 14, from Darlington, was competing in the Youth British Transplant Games.

She came home with a haul of medals from the event at Lightwater Valley, in North Yorkshire.

Rachel returned to Hummersknot School, Darlington, in September for a limited number of lessons and is now looking forward to a traditional Christmas at home with her family.

Rachel said: "I am feeling very well and I am enjoying my holidays. Christmas should be good this year, especially compared to last year."