Teenager Natasha Brown is today recovering from an eight-hour liver transplant which she hopes will change her life.

The 13-year-old, who suffers from autoimmune hepatitis, was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital last night after waiting 84 days for a suitable donor.

Natasha, of Banbury Road, Kidlington, is now in intensive care, and her parents, Simon and Denise, are praying the transplant will cure the condition, which was diagnosed in 1997.

Natasha Brown with her mother and father, Simon and Denise

Speaking before the operation, Natasha said: "When I heard that a suitable donor had been found I just cried. I'm a bit apprehensive, but very excited as well."

Surgeons worked until 2.30am today and doctors have told the Browns that the operation went as planned.

Mrs Brown said: "It's been a very long night and none of us have has much sleep. We've seen Natasha, but she was still asleep.

"At the moment, everything is going well. The doctors are very happy and there were no problems.

"The operation took longer than expected because it was what is known as a liver split.

"The donated organ was split in two and one part went to another person, while Natasha had the bigger section."

Doctors put Natasha on the transplant register in February after her condition caused her blood to stop clotting.

She was added to the donor list the following month, joining 126 patients nationwide.

Natasha was breathless, unable to play sports or enjoy life. She also had ten nose bleeds a day and had swollen limbs.

She was forced to take 30 tablets daily in a bid to stop her own immune system attacking her body.

Natasha also left Gosford Hill School because pupils teased her about her yellow skin - another symptom of autoimmune hepatitis.

The identity of the donor will never be revealed.

Mrs Brown said the transplant could change Natasha's life 100 per cent.

She said: "We are all very cheerful and very nervous. We just didn't expect to hear anything this soon.

"She won't be yellow or swollen or breathless any more.

"Natasha will be able to do sports as she wants to. It'll be a new lease of life.

"I would give the donor's family anything and everything for what they have done - 'thank you' just isn't enough.

"I wish I could help someone in the same way as they have helped Natasha."

She is expected to stay on intensive care for 24 hours before being transferred to a ward, where Natasha could stay for up to three months to recover.

Her parents are planning a huge party when she is discharged from hospital for all the relatives and friends who have given them support during Natasha's illness.

As soon as she is well enough, the teenager will travel to Florida for a holiday with her grandfather.