A youngster who faced a fight for life after she suffered heart failure is to take part in this year's Great North Millennium Transplant Games.

Seven-year-old Rebecca Long was saved by a heart transplant carried out at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Rebecca, of Waldridge Road, Chester-Le-Street, had to be rushed into hospital three years ago when she contracted a virus that affected the muscles in her heart, causing heart failure.

Her parents were told she had only days to live and they and Rebecca faced an anxious nine-day wait for a heart transplant, which was successful.

The youngster, who has now fully recovered, will be taking part in the 50m run, obstacle race and ball throw events at the Gateshead International Stadium later this month.

Her mum Janet said: "Rebecca was in hospital for a week as they tried to stabilise her on drugs but her condition was so bad that the drugs did not keep her in check. It was then a case of waiting for a transplant organ to come along - she was very poorly and was on a drip, being tube fed.

"We were told that she was within days of death, but after coming out of intensive care she was riding her bike again within a fortnight."

Rebecca, who goes to St Cuthbert's RC School in Chester-Le-Street, received the heart of an eight year old boy from Ireland.

Her mum said: "We owe Rebecca's life to the donor family and we are also grateful to the staff at the hospital. There is nothing you need that is any good to you when you die, but a person's organs can help save a life."

The Northern Echo is backing this year's Asda transplant games, taking part in venues all over the North-East between July 27 and 30, as part of its Save A Life campaign. The campaign aims to persuade at least 2,000 readers to carry organ donor cards