A TEENAGER is making a good recovery after undergoing a life saving operation.

Laura Clarke has had a bone marrow transplant and now faces six months recovering in an isolation ward at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The 15-year-old was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in December 2000 and had to undergo nine months of chemotherapy before being told her illness had gone into remission last August.

Laura faced further heartache just two months later when she and her parents, John and Jackie, were told the illness had returned and spread from her chest to the bone marrow.

The plucky Little Lever High School pupil had the transplant two weeks ago and her family have now gone public after doctors said they were pleased with her progress.

Laura, of Goodwood Close, Little Lever, was recently given a special treat before going into the Pendlebury hospital as the Make A Wish charity bought her a lap top computer which can be linked to a DVD player.

The Bolton Wanderers fan, who has not been to school for more than 12 months, can only see close members of her family over the coming months as she will be vulnerable to infection.

Her parents have been taking it in turns to stay with her and have kept her spirits up by treating her to the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone DVD.

Laura's father John said: "The doctors seem very pleased with her progress.

"She has had a few pains and cramps and the doctors thought she might have pulled a muscle.

"Laura is having to be fed intravenously and she is longing for a glass of cola with ice in it.

"She keeps seeing adverts on television for McDonald's and she really wants one!

"But it could be the end of the year before she is allowed fast food."