Mirren Terry, 10, was saved by quick-thinking teachers at Lever House Primary School last term when she collapsed on the playing fields.

She has since been diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome - a branch of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS) - but her mum Caroline says she is happy to be getting back to normal.

She said: "Mirren was really apprehensive about the first day back and was very tired during her first week, but now she's getting back into the swing of it.

"She is settling in with her friends, getting involved and wants to run for school councillor. She can't do anything too physical during sports lessons, but can participate if it doesn't entail running around."

The family spent two weeks in Majorca on a much-needed holiday after the turmoil of Mirren's sudden collapse and operation.

She has had a defibrillator fitted to help regulate her heartbeat, but her mum said that didn't stop her from giving them a few shocks while abroad.

Caroline added: "Mirren really enjoyed the holiday and was bombing around keeping me on my toes. During the first week I could have been sick on the spot on numerous occasions and was frightened to death. It was a steep learning curve for the future and in the second week I had to let go a little bit, but that set me up for coming home.

"The consultant at Alder Hey Children's Hospital says he cannot define what Mirren can and can't do.

"We don't know when, or even if, she could have another attack so Mirren's come to the conclusion that I can't wrap her up in cotton wool.

"She's safer now and we've had tremendous support from her schoolfriends' parents, who treat her as they would before, inviting her to sleepovers."

Caroline lost her job while she and her family battled to come to terms with Mirren's illness. But she says while they've had their fair share of bad luck, it has 'worked out for the best'.

"I've had time with Mirren over the summer holidays, which has given us time together to adjust to Mirren having this problem."

Caroline and her other daughter Olivia, two, are still awaiting the results of genetic testing to see if they are affected by the syndrome and are hoping to speak to other local families affected by SADS.