HEART-swap schoolgirl Emma Standish celebrates a magical 11th birthday today.

It is a far cry from this time last year when the Farnworth youngster became seriously ill, sparking a nationwide search for a heart donor.

Now, fighting fit after a heart transplant, she is looking forward to seeing her hero, Harry Potter, at the cinema tonight as a special birthday treat.

She will be surrounded by family and friends for a simple get-together later today. However, major family celebrations are planned for December 8 -- the anniversary of the heart transplant which gave her a new lease of life.