Delight as op baby recovers

Lauren Edwards underwent the operation at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital after a worldwide search for a donor was launched.

The eight-month-old girl was diagnosed with leukocyte adhesion deficiency - which means she cannot fight off infection - just days after her birth.

Lauren's father Lee Edwards, of Ketley, Telford, said doctors had been pleased with his daughter's progress.

He said he and his wife Angela were "really impressed" with the turnout at Shropshire clinics held to try to find a donor and thanked all who had helped. A donor was eventually found in America.

Mrs and Mrs Edwards said they were taking things one step at a time because it was still early days.

Eight-month-old Lauren had the transplant three weeks ago and, despite having picked up a number of small infections, was said to be well in herself.

Mr Edwards said Lauren was "doing really well"."She's doing OK. She has done really well going through the chemotherapy. She hasn't really had any nasty side effects," he said.

"But it is still early days. As far as in herself, she is really well. She has picked up a few little infections, but the doctors seem to be on top of them.

"She is still happy and smiling. She is tired quite a lot but she makes an effort to play.

"So far she has done really well and the doctors are pleased.

"We shall have to see how the next few days, weeks and months go. We will have to take it a day at a time for the next few months."

The illness affects only 300 people in the world and a series of clinics were held in Shropshire to try and find a bone marrow match for her.

Mr Edwards said a donor had eventually been found in America.

More than 160 people signed up to the national bone marrow donors' register after being touched by Lauren's plight.

Mr Edwards and his wife Angela earlier said a "huge thank you" to everyone who helped organise the clinics in Telford and Shrewsbury and put themselves forward as donors.