A six-year-old girl who touched the heart of the nation when she lay dying in a hospital bed, is preparing to start school next week.

Sally Slater, pictured, of Kirkby Malham, near Skipton, will join her classroom friends at Kirkby Malham school.

Five months ago she was struck down by a virus which destroyed the muscles in her heart and was given a new heart after a desperate nationwide appeal for a donor.

But today she is "back to herself" said her proud gran Barbara Slater, of Threshfield, near Skipton.

Sally, who is seven on September 15, has been notching up prizes at Malham Show - winning 11 prizes - and taking part in the fancy dress.

Her decorated mask won her the trophy for the best exhibit in the art section in her age group.

Barbara said: "She is back to normal - as bright as a button. She is living a completely normal life. Her only problem at present is she is still not walking as well as she was - but that will come with time.

"She will be attending school and there will be no allowances for her. She never complains."

Sally is also having to come to terms with being something of a local celebrity.

"She is aware of the situation and that people know who she is. But she is unaffected by it. She is still shy and quiet with new people," said Mrs Slater.

Sally's mum Bridget, 36, a lecturer at Craven College, is not returning to work until she sees how her daughter manages in the first few weeks at school. Sally will be joining her five-year-old brother Joe. She also has a brother Charlie, aged four.

Sally fell ill in late March when she was rushed to Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where she was kept alive with an artificial heart. Doctors gave her only days to live.

Her father, Jon, 36, made an emotional appeal for a donor on television and radio and miraculously one was found.