A DEVOTED Gwent mum is back home after a successful operation to give her seriously ill teenage daughter one of her kidneys.

Judith Howell returned home to Caerleon yesterday following the vital transplant operation at the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff last week. Her 19-year-old daughter Rhian desperately needed transplant as she suffers from kidney scarring - without a transplant she would have needed constant dialysis.

Civil servant Judith said she was just happy to be able to do something to help give her daughter a better life.

She said: "Rhian is well, the kidney is working and it looks good for the future.

"It means that she won't have to have dialysis all the time and that she can get on with her life, just like other teenagers.

"It has definitely been worth it and I would do it again."

And if Rhian's recovery continues to go well she is even hoping to resume her A-level studies in September.

Judith said: "We have had tremendous support from family, friends and people who saw out story in the Argus.

"We would like to thank them for all their cards and well wishes, it has really helped us."

Rhian, a former Caerleon Comprehensive pupil, is expected to return home within the next 10 days.