LITTLE PHOEBE Davies has survived life-saving heart surgery which was paid for by readers of the Kent Messenger Group's Deal-based newspaper, the East Kent Mercury. A gruelling 10-hour operation has been carried out at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children.

Phoebe's mother, Ruth, and father Kevin, from Lydia Road, Deal, were waiting for her in intensive care when she came out of theatre.

Phoebe's grandmother Patricia Meredith, who spoke to Ruth just after the operation, said: "Phoebe has survived the operation but the next 48 hours are going to be a rough ride. "The doctors have done everything they planned to do and she has also been fitted with a temporary pacemaker.

"Phoebe is a fighter. She has come through three other major heart operations and we are praying she has the strength to conquer this," she added. "We have all been praying for her in Deal and I even went on the radio and asked everyone to think of Phoebe just before she went in for the operation. I am sure all this positive thought has helped her through."

If everything goes well the Davies family hope to bring Phoebe home on January 9. The Friends of Phoebe Appeal, launched in the East Kent Mercury in September, touched the hearts of people across the county and within seven weeks had topped its initial target of £50,000. Fundraising is continuing as the aftercare costs are unknown.