A BRAVE girl who survived open heart surgery when she was only seven months old is now thriving after starting school.

Little Grace Harrison was born with four heart defects which were diagnosed in the womb.

Her condition was deemed so serious that her mum Emma McColgan was offered a termination.

Emma, 28, of Slaemuir Avenue, Port Glasgow, said: "At the 20 week scan I was told Grace had four heart defects, so I knew straight away.

"We we were taken into a room in the foetal medicine department in the Southern General and I saw a box of tissues sitting there, so I knew it was going to be bad news.

"We were offered a termination and were told she would need open surgery.

"But never did we think this was the end.

"We were well prepared.

"We were told that as soon as her umbilical cord was cut that she could turn blue and if so she would need open heart surgery within seven minutes."

Grace was born at the Southern General four years ago, and thankfully she she didn't turn blue but had among other things, a hole in the heart caused by a ruptured aorta.

Emma, a housekeeper at the Mariners' Home, says she and her partner Christopher, a production manager with local firm Angel Wax, were braced for the worst but very well supported.

Emma, who also has a one-year-old son Christopher, said: "We just took it bit by bit."

The day Grace went into the operating theatre for her five-hour operation at the former children's hospital at Yorkhill will always stay in her mum's mind.

Emma said: "Her dad had to go down to her with theatre because I couldn't bear seeing her go under the anaesthetic."

Thankfully Grace came through it all and remarkably she was allowed home only four days after the major surgery and the family haven't looked back since.

She got the all clear from a check-up in February, though she may need a CT scan and further treatment when she gets older.

But for now Grace is enjoying a brand new chapter in her life at Newark Primary.

She said: "I like arts and crafts and drawing, that's the best bit."

Grace also enjoys Tiger Clubs and is a member of the Girls' Brigade.

Emma said: "She's full of beans, looking at her you wouldn't think anything was wrong.

"I was worried how she would be without me being there but I've got high hopes for Newark.

"She's a busy wee bee.

"I know sometimes when she comes home from school if she is overtired, she has always led the way.

"She's doing great."