Courageous Harriet Stobbs, the little girl who received a donor liver after being given just hours to survive, has lost her fight for life.

The 14- month- old had transplant surgery at Birmingham Children's Hospital on January 28 after suffering severe liver failure.

Following an emotional appeal by her desperate parents for donors, the Organ Donor Register received more than 700 extra calls in two days, from people as far afield as the Czech Republic.

Harriet died on Tuesday at the Children's Hospital after her condition worsened.

Her parents, Kate and Rob, from Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, yesterday thanked all those who had responded so generously.

In a statement, Mr and Mrs Stobbs said: "We wish to express our thanks for the kindness and support we have received from the staff at Birmingham Children's Hospital and from the public."

Harriet was born prematurely at 28 weeks and had five major operations on her bowel.

She was born with necrotising enterocolitis, which meant the bowel dies and sufferers have to be fed intravenously, causing liver damage. To complicate matters, her blood type, AB, is rare.

Harriet spent her whole life in hospital and needed 24-hour care after her condition deteriorated rapidly and she was put on the organ donor list before Christmas.

Transferred from the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital in Shropshire, she was in intensive care at Birmingham Children's Hospital and extremely ill when a suitable donor came forward.

A team of three surgeons, led by consultant Gary Mercer, carried out the eight-hour liver transplant at the Children's Hospital.

The cause of her death was believed to be organ failure.

Professor Deirdre Kelly, head of the hospital's Liver Unit, said: "We are extremely grateful that Harriet was able to have a liver transplant. She was a brave and delightful little girl who fought hard for her chance of life."