HEART patient Harr-ison Johnson defied medical opinion since he was born - and regulars at his parents' Newport pub keep delivering generous thank-yous to the experts who are helping him.

Seven-year-old Harrison underwent three major heart operations, the first aged just seven months, and bounced back from two strokes, brain damage, partial paralysis, liver, kidney, gut and bowel damage.

His heart works with the aid of three replacement valves, one human, one from a pig, and one mechanical, and he faces further surgery in the near future.

But his mum, Debbie Johnson, says Manchester United fan Harrison, a pupil at Glasllwch Primary School, is as well as he has ever been, and a continuing inspiration for fundraising efforts at the Ridgeway pub.

"I just think back to when he was a baby, when a doctor told us he would never be more than a vegetable in a wheelchair. Just look at him now," said Mrs Johnson.

"We have to keep an eye on him, but he's doing really well, always running around.

"He needs more heart surgery and should have had it by now, but his doctors have left it for a bit longer because he's been coping.

"He had his last operation about three years ago, and they expected him to be a lot more compromised now with his valves than he is."

The Ridgeway hosted several fundraising theme nights, with proceeds going to some of the hospitals and organisations that have helped Harrison.

The most recent was a Beatles theme night last month, which raised £1,200 for the children's heart unit at the University Hospital of Wales (the Heath), in Cardiff.

"It was a great night. Special thanks are due to Robin and Carol Hames, who helped organise it and put the band together. One member, Mike Curran, flew over from Spain for the weekend to play," said Mrs Johnson.

A big thank-you must also go to the customers, who keep on supporting these events. They've been marvellous."