PEOPLE all over the world have been praying for little Lennox Nicholson.

And yesterday those prayers were answered when he underwent a liver operation with time rapidly running out on his short life.

It is, of course, too early to be sure that Lennox, from Guisborough, on Teesside, will survive. The next 48 hours will be critical.

But at least he now has a fighting chance, thanks to a liver being made available.

Somewhere, a family is grieving at the loss of a loved one. We don't know where, we don't know who. But we hope they find comfort in the knowledge that a five-month-old baby, who would almost certainly have died by Christmas, may now live.

Indeed, the donated liver has been used to save two lives because part of it was used in another transplant operation on a woman patient.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them all - baby Lennox, his family, the unidentified woman transplant patient, the brilliant team of doctors involved in the operation, and the loved ones of the donor.

A successful conclusion to this remarkable, heartbreaking story would be a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas.

Whatever the outcome, it will hopefully inspire more of us to think carefully about our New Year resolutions - because registering as an organ donor is one way of creating happy endings.