A YOUNG Kent girl has had her bedroom transformed in time for Christmas by television's Changing Rooms team. Sarah-Jane Wood, 12, of Nore Close, Sheerness, was amazed when she opened her front door to find Handy Andy and specialised children's room designer Anna Ryder Richardson from the BBC1 programme standing on her doorstep.

The youngster, who attends Danley Middle School, Halfway, was featured in the Sheerness Times Guardian newspaper in the summer when she won a Young Hero Award for her key role in helping her parents. She helps her father Martin, who suffers from kidney failure, and mother Wendy, who has cerebral palsy.

Sarah-Jane was nominated for the National Kidney Research Fund's award by her father. The Changing Rooms team chose her from hundreds of other young carers to feature in Rolf's Merry Christmas, a special programme featuring surprises for those who have overcome adversity or given selflessly to others. The programme, presented by Rolf Harris and Gaby Roslin, will be screened on Christmas Day on BBC1, starting at 3.10pm.

Sarah Jane said: "They took me shopping up at Lakeside and told me I could pick anything I wanted. I'd never had anyone say that to me before. I chose a cushion, boxes, a bag, mirror, penguin radio and bed covers."

While Sarah-Jane shopped Handy Andy got to work by laying a wooden floor and painting the walls lilac. But it wasn't until the third day of being there that everything was complete. After making a cupboard and computer desk, assembling a wardrobe and new bed, recreating a piece of art by Andy Warhol using four wooden boxes and pictures of Sarah-Jane, as well as adding the finishing touches, the room was finally finished.

Sarah-Jane said: "When we were allowed in I cried. So did my mum. My dad was near to tears too."