A York baby has been saved thanks to a rare transplant operation in which a liver was shared with a 38-year-old man.

Nine-month-old Aimee Fowler, who was suffering from "late stage liver failure", was expected to be released from St James's Hospital in Leeds today.

Surgeons sliced a liver in half during the six-hour operation and transplanted one piece each into the body of Aimee and Nottingham man George Coyle, who had been waiting for a suitable donor since last August.

It was the first procedure of its kind to be carried at the hospital's specialist liver unit.

Parents John and Caroline Fowler, who live in Holgate, expressed relief that Aimee was returning to normal following the complex transplant.

John, who works as a restaurant manager at The Mount Royale Hotel along with Caroline who is a receptionist, said: "She is a happy, smiley, giggly, very active little girl again."

A hospital spokeswoman said today: "Two teams of specialists and two operating theatres were needed in order for the transplant to take place and the result has been very encouraging.

"The left side of the liver is smaller than the right side and the operation on Aimee took place first. She is still in hospital but doing well."

Friends and neighbours have expressed joy and relief at the news of Aimee's transplant.

Neighbour Colin Ellison, 66, has kept an eye on the couple's house during their stay in Leeds.

He said: "I'm absolutely delighted for them. It's fantastic. They've been through so much."

Mount Royale director Stuart Oxtoby said: "We've all got to know Aimee very well at the hotel and are absolutely thrilled about the transplant."

Worshippers at St Paul's Church, who have been praying for Aimee - who was baptised there - said the transplant was "a miracle."

The Rev Derek Wooldridge anointed the baby with oil at her hospital bedside in Leeds before a donor was found.

Updated: 08:39 Tuesday, January 16, 2001