FOR the first time in her short life, three year-old Emily Bayley is a healthy pink colour after an amazingly successful operation to help get more oxygen into her blood.

Emily returned to her Corsham home last week after a major operation at Bristol Children's Hospital to close up the hole in her heart.

She was expected to stay in hospital for three weeks, but returned home in less than half that time.

Before the operation, which took nine hours, Emily was often breathless and her skin would turn blue.

"She's a lovely pink colour now," said her mother Samantha. "The pressure in her heart is still high, so we'll have to keep an eye on that," she added.

Emily spent two days with an external pacemaker fitted when there were minor complications following the operation, which was her 21st.

But since then she has made a very successful recovery.

"Her stomach's like a patchwork," said Mrs Bayley. "She's been stitched up in so many places."

Mrs Bayley thinks hospitals and operations have become a way of life for Emily, who seems unfazed by what she has been through.

Mrs Bayley said little Emily's sheer will and determination had helped her pull through each operation. "Everyone at the hospital has been brilliant, but at the end of the day, Emily does the rest," she said.

It's hoped in time that Emily will have the same quality of life as any other child, although it is unlikely she will be able to take part in rigorous exercise.

"We are really pleased to have her home," said Mrs Bayley.