A DEVOTED mum wil give her daughter the perfect start to 2004 - by giving her a kidney and a new lease of life next week.

We revealed last year how Rhian Howells, 19, was facing a lifetime of dialysis before her mum, Judith, volunteered to undertake the transplant.

Now the women, from Vine Cottages, Caerleon, have finally been told that the vital operations can take place next Tuesday at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

Yesterday they both underwent final tests, and were told that everything could go ahead as planned.

A former Caerleon Comprehensive pupil, Rhian was just nine when doctors found she had kidney scarring.

Doctors hoped the organs would recover, but they deteriorated - leaving Rhian needing either a transplant or dialysis.

Rhian told the Argus: "I'm really excited that my mum is giving me the chance to get on with my life. I was doing A-levels, but only managed to complete two of them because of my illness. Soon I should be able to go back to college, and then on to university.

"My mum is amazing and I am so grateful for what she is doing for me. I just hope she doesn't get ill herself."

Civil servant Judith, 39, says she is just happy to be able to do something to give her daughter a better life.

She said: "I was worried about the operation, but the anaesthetist sat us down and explained everything, and now I feel much better. I think it will be harder for Rhian because she will have to wait for me to have the operation first.

"My operation will take two to four hours, then Rhian's will take about two and a half. We should know pretty quickly if it has been a success.

"An ideal match is a sibling, but Rhian's brother, Jack, is only 11, and I am the closest out of the rest of the family. There is always some level of rejection, but apparently it is just a question of getting the drugs right.

"I just hope Rhian will be able to get on with her life, go back to college in September, and be happy."

The operation was meant to take place in December, but was postponed, allowing the family to have Christmas together.

Judith said: "We had a lovely Christmas, and now Jack can go back to school, having had a good time. It will be a tough few weeks as we both recover, but family, friends and work have rallied round and will help us through it."