Laura Loftus is a bubbly 13-year-old who is so full of life she exhausts her mum.

But two years ago, Laura - who will attend Oakbank School, Keighley, from September - could hardly walk without becoming tired out.

Then on March 20, 1998, she received a new kidney - donated by her 44-year-old dad Kevin - and her life was transformed.

Her courage is now being honoured by The National Kidney Research Fund, which will present her with a Young Hero medal and certificate at a ceremony in Bradford's City Hall on Thursday. The award is made to youngsters who have shown real fighting spirit in coping with their disease.

Laura, of Cromer Avenue, Ingrow, Keighley, was born with three kidneys - one an enlarged double-kidney.

Her mum, Linda, said: "It was spotted when she was ten days old because she wouldn't feed and couldn't urinate."

She underwent an operation to fit a tube to enable her to urinate without using her bladder and when she was almost three, the large kidney was removed.

"It was then controlled by medication and a special diet. But she was tired and very small. She never felt like talking or laughing. We just thought she was a quiet little girl," said Linda.

Laura's surviving kidney was getting less effective as she got older and she was preparing to start dialysis two years ago when the family were tested to see if their kidneys matched.

"Her father was the closest match. He gave her one of his kidneys and she has never looked back," said Linda, who has been divorced from Kevin for nine years.

"She is a completely different child. Before, she wouldn't say boo to a goose. She is far more confident. Now I spend a lot of time telling her to be quiet.

"She was very small but now she has put on weight. She is twice the size she was two years ago."

Laura said: "I was a bit frightened about the operation but pleased at the same time.

"I was always tired before. I never wanted to go for walks and I didn't play out. Now I'm a lot better."

A spokesman for the National Kidney Research Fund said the awards were launched in February by Anthea Turner to acknowledge the spirit and bravery of children with kidney disease.

"It is often a silent illness and people may not even be aware they have it until at an advanced stage or renal failure sets in," he said.