Abbey will compete in three swimming events

Abbey Cape, from Snarestone near Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, needed the transplant two years ago after a virus attacked her heart.

Now Abbey is training to compete in the 50 metres sprint, 50 metres breast stroke and 25 metres freestyle.

She says she leads a normal life apart from having to take lots of pills and avoid acidic fruit juice.

I used to hate swimming because I couldn't do it - but now I love it Abbey Cape

After massive publicity, three donor hearts were found but only one of them was of the right blood type.

Now she only returns to hospital for check-ups and leads a normal life.

"The only thing that is not normal is that I can't drink grapefruit juice - the acidity affects one of my drugs.

"But that isn't a problem since I hate grapefruit."

She is now looking forward to taking part in the games.

"I used to hate swimming because I couldn't do it - but now I love it."

Bed-ridden

She added: "If my heart starts to beat really fast, if I can feel it beating, then I stop and sit down at the side, but that doesn't happen often."

Abbey's mum, Marie-Anne Jackson, says Abbey lives a fuller life now she's had the transplant.

"She has gone through enormous changes over the past couple of years since the operation.

"She was bed-ridden for weeks on end but once she got going she really hasn't stopped."