A four-year-old Bradford girl, born with two holes in her heart, has managed to walk three miles to help research into the condition - less than a year after she had a life-saving operation.

Leah Kellett had open heart surgery aged only three months to improve her blood flow. Earlier this year she underwent 12 hours of surgery to try to repair the holes in her heart.

Her mum Julie, of Wibsey, who also took part in the walk with other family members, said she was delighted with progress since the operation.

"She's developing so well and we are all really proud of her. Taking part in the sponsored walk was a lovely way for us to give something back and to help other families like us who have been affected by congenital heart disease."

Leah, who also has Down's Syndrome, now attends nursery at Netherlands Avenue Special School and Community Nursery in Wibsey.

Her grandmother Lillian Wolstenholme described her as a beautiful girl. "She is no trouble at all," she said.

The three-mile National Heart Research Fund walk took place at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds.

The Kellett family - mum and dad Julie and Paul, grandparents Brian and June and Leah's baby sister Jodie - raised nearly £200 for the charity.

Another Bradford youngster who has recovered from open heart surgery tackled the hike and raised more than £500.

Ethan Britton had the operation when he was ten days old after doctors found his heart was not formed properly.

The youngster, now six, spent the first three months of his life in hospital and has been fed through a tube at night to build him up. He and mum Joanne, along with his uncle Gary, decided to do the walk to boost the charity's work helping detect conditions like Ethan's. Joanne, of Shipley, said: "Heart research is a cause that's important to us and the family sponsored walk was a great way to support their work and help other children who have suffered with heart problems."

The cash raised will go towards research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. It will also fund research projects throughout the country, including at the Yorkshire Heart Centre at Leeds General Infirmary, where Leah and Ethan were treated.

Ros Jenkins, chief executive of the charity, thanked all the walkers.

"The day was a great success and it was so rewarding to see the people who have suffered from heart disease now living a much better quality of life and with a brighter hope for the future.