MIRACLE heart surgery girl Emma Standish returned to school for the first time in months to hear a special song performed in her honour by fellow pupils.

The 10-year-old was touched as she listened to the 38-strong St Peter's CE Primary choir celebrate her remarkable recovery with the song 'I Said A Prayer'.

Emma, of Philip's Avenue, Farnworth, was given just hours to live last December when her heart condition caused her kidneys to fail.

But a donor was found at the last minute and in February it was decided she was well enough to return home from the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle. During the dark days the choir performed songs of hope for their fellow pupil and they decided they wanted to record 'I Said A Prayer' for Emma when she came out of hospital.

Concerned pupils Rebecca Millington, aged 11, and 10-year-old Kimberley Grinnell suggested recording the song because they had enjoyed it so much.

Kimberley said: "We all said prayers for Emma at the time, so it seemed nice to record the song for her to listen to."

Rebecca said: "We were all very worried about Emma at Christmas and the song meant a lot to us."

Susan Wilding, music teacher at the Farnworth school, was thrilled the children took such a liking to the song written five years ago by her friend, Angela Bowman.

She said: "The choir first started singing the song when we were very worried about Emma, but they are singing it today as a celebration of her having recovered."

Emma, her mum Deborah and twin brother Adam all thoroughly enjoyed the moving performance of the song.

The plucky youngster, who hopes to return to school in May, said: "I liked the song and am looking forward to joining the choir when I come back."

Mum Deborah said: "The song was lovely. Emma is much better, but she has got to take it easy and we are keeping an eye on her.

"We're going back to the hospital in Newcastle on Friday when they will hopefully tell us when she can go back to school."

As well as performing for Emma at school yesterday, the choir handed her a copy of the track on a CD and have invited her to the Music Centre Presents concert at the Albert Halls next week, when they will perform the song.

Emma, who also has an older brother, Christopher, 15, led a healthy life until last summer when she began feeling sick and tired. Tests revealed she had dilated cardiomyopathy, which damaged her heart and put immense strain on her organs.

She was constantly monitored at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, until December when she was put on top of the national donor list and had to be transferred to the Freeman Hospital.

Her parents spent weeks at her bedside watching her brave recovery. What the pupils sang I Said A Prayer

I said a prayer for you today,

I know God must have heard.

I felt the answer in my heart, although he spoke no word.

I didn't ask for wealth or fame, I knew you wouldn't mind.

I asked Him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind.

I asked that he be near you starting each new day.

To bring you health and blessings and friends to share your way.

I asked for happiness in all things great and small.

But it was His loving care I prayed for most of all!