THE parents of a baby, who underwent a liver transplant, could have her home for Christmas.

Wayne Martin and Nicola Lightowler, both 30, are keeping their fingers crossed that they can enjoy the festive season as a family at their Burley-in-Wharfedale home.

One-year-old Katy travelled to Kings Hospital, in London, to undergo the operation, when a donor was found after a three month nationwide appeal. Doctors were so pleased with her progress that she has been sent to recuperate nearer home, at St James' Hospital, in Leeds.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "Katy is back at St James' after her operation, which went well. She is back on the same ward as she was before and she is recovering.

"Her parents are delighted that she is back as they have spent a month in London with her. She will remain in hospital for quite some time now. It is a major operation."

Katy, who was suffering from biliary artresia, had already overcome an operation to lengthen her bowel.

It was these added complications, which meant that the operation had to be carried out in London.

Katy's parents, of Langford Road, had carried a pager waiting for a beep to announce that a donor had been found. They even considered giving a part of their own livers to save her.

l YOUNG leukaemia victim Jack Gales, aged eight, home for a visit after spending weeks in hospital. Jack, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, desperately needs a bone marrow donor. His parents, Peter and Kate Gales are appealing for people to register with the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust. For information about becoming a donor call the Blood Transfusion Helpline (0345) 711711 or the Anthony Nolan Trust (01423) 879510.