TOMORROW is a vital decision day for nine-year-old Emma Standish, struck down by a lightning illness, who will find out if she needs a new heart.

Emma undergoes medical tests to decide whether she needs life-saving surgery.

The youngster fell ill five weeks ago but her condition has deteriorated rapidly.

She has spent the last month in Manchester Royal Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, where doctors have been fighting to keep her condition stable. Tests revealed the left side of her heart was enlarged and weak, unable to circulate her blood as it should.

Mother Deborah Cartwright said: "We do not know yet whether Emma needs a new heart. We find out tomorrow.

"Emma never had a problem before. This has been a total shock to the family.

Emma, a pupil at St Peter's School, Farnworth, has a twin brother, Adam, and older brother, Christopher, 15, who are both healthy.

"She has been in hospital for nearly a month. The week before that she started being sick," said Ms Cartwright.

"Our family doctor could find nothing wrong with her. But she was losing lots of weight and was sleeping all the time. I knew there was something wrong and insisted on taking her to the hospital."

The youngster, of Philips Avenue, Farnworth, who was allowed home at the weekend, is being treated by long-term medication. She has also received short-term stronger medication, which has improved her condition.

Deborah said: "If this improvement is sustained she will be spared surgery. But the worst case scenario is that she will need a heart transplant.

"Emma had never shown signs of problems with her heart before and looks brilliant in herself. She had never been out of breath, and doctors think her condition has built up over the years.

"The issue of organ donors for example has never crossed my mind before. But since this, I have got cards for myself and my partner. It brings it home to you how important donors really are. "Tomorrow, we will find out whether Emma can come home, or if she needs a new heart. We just all now have to sit in hope."

TOMORROW: Meet the Bolton athlete battling back to the top after a heart transplant.