Just months ago, six-year-old Paige Ward was undergoing a life-saving transplant operation.

Now she is back at school for the new term and her family are overjoyed to see that she is recovering so well.

Paige, from Folkestone, was born with a rare liver condition called biliary atresia.

As well as an extremely swollen stomach, she also suffered from lethargy, jaundice and a lack of appetite.

But even during difficult stages of her condition, Paige remained a bubbly and happy child.

Then in March, after a four-month wait, the family got the call they had been waiting for.

Mum Mel Keiller, 29, immediately rushed Paige to King’s College Hospital in London where she underwent eight hours of surgery for a liver transplant.

After six weeks in London she was transferred to the William Harvey Hospital, Ashford where she spent a further three weeks.

Now, back home in her house in Stuart Road, her stomach has reduced dramatically in size, there is colour in her cheeks and she is gaining weight as she should.

Despite having to take eight medications, twice a day, Paige is full of smiles and a popular pupil at St Mary’s Primary School.

Mel, a teaching assistant at Paige’s school, said: “Before the transplant she did not have much energy, now she runs around everywhere.

“She has a big appetite now too, before she felt full all the time.

“It is brilliant to see her like this, she looks so healthy and I appreciate her so much more now.

“Paige takes it all in her stride and tells everyone her tummy smiles, because of the way her scar looks.”

Last Thursday, Paige travelled up to London to take part in a photo shoot to promote the National Blood Service.

She was specially picked to be a model for the organisation’s 2008 Christmas cards.

To find out more about liver disease in children visit www.childliverdisease.org