Kaylee is to compete in the World Transplant Games

Kaylee Davidson, from Washington, Tyne and Wear, was just five months old when she had the transplant in 1987 at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

The performing arts student was marking the occasion with a fundraising lunch at Newcastle's Civic Centre.

She is to represent Great Britain at the World Transplant Games this summer.

Kaylee suffered from viral condition cardiomyopathy and the heart transplant was her only hope.

She said: "I feel great and I have a normal and happy life.

"I can't believe that I am 18 and I am looking forward to the Northern Transplant Charity Ball on Saturday where I am a special guest.

The heart transplant was Kaylee's only hope

"I often think about my donor family and can't thank them enough for the second chance I was given to live."

The Northern Organ Donor Campaign has been organised to coincide with her birthday and will encourage people in north-east England to sign up to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Transplant recipients, donor families and medical staff were joining her for the campaign launch at the civic centre on Wednesday.

Her mother Carol said: "Time has passed so quickly, I can hardly believe that Kaylee is 18-years-old.

"It just seems like yesterday that we were so desperately worried when she was so poorly.

"Kaylee is a fantastic example of life after transplantation and we will be eternally grateful to the decision of the donor family who so generously donated at a tragic time in their own life."