IT was the sound all her classmates prayed they would hear again . . .

As the headteacher of St Peter's CE Primary School read out the name Emma Standish from the register, the 10-year-old replied: "Good morning, Mrs Charlton."

The little girl from Farnworth was all smiles as she sat among her friends for the first time since she fell ill last summer.

Emma was just hours from death when a matching heart was found last Christmas and, during those dark hours, her classmates prayed and sung hymns in the hope she would pull through.

She has made such an amazing recovery since her transplant operation that doctors decided it would be safe for her to return to the Alexandra Street primary school part-time.

It was a memorable moment yesterday for classmates and staff who had kept their fingers crossed since she became ill.

Emma, of St Philips Avenue, said she was pleased to return to school, although there were certain things she had not missed.

She added: "It's good to be back because I wanted to see all my friends, but I'm not looking forward to getting homework."

Headteacher Mrs Charlton said all the children in Year Five, including Emma's twin brother Adam, had been talking excitedly about their brave friend returning, and many had bought her small gifts and cards.

"We all said prayers for her. This has been long awaited and we are delighted to have her back," she said.

"She now has more friends than she had before, which shows something positive has come out of something absolutely desperate."

Emma will be returning part-time at first, attending lessons in the morning. She has been having home tuition and, after she finishes Year Six in 2002 she should be able to go to secondary school. She is continually building her strength up and can take part in PE.

Although Emma will always need check-ups and medication she will be able to lead a normal life in the future.

She was struck down last summer with the heart condition dilated cardiomyopathy.

Her kidneys failed just before Christmas and she was placed at the top of the national transplant list.

She was in an ambulance being driven to a hospital in the North-east when her parents Deborah and Darren were told a match had been found.