A woman who is believed to be the world’s longest surviving heart transplant patient is celebrating 35 years since her life-saving operation.

Sandy Law, 62, was just 27 years old when she was given a new heart at Papworth Hospital near Cambridge in 1982.

She was given a second donor heart in 2005 after her first donor heart failed.

Law, who stays active managing a touring caravan site in Hertfordshire with her husband Terry, said she owed her life to medics at Papworth Hospital.

It makes you live for the day and gives you such a positive outlook

“When I think of the extra years I’ve had because of the skill and dedication of staff at Papworth, I do realise how lucky I am – especially to have had not one, but two donor hearts,” she said. “It makes you live for the day and gives you such a positive outlook.”

Law had inherited severe heart failure from her mother, who died aged 39, and she grew up with a life expectancy of 35.

The 35th anniversary of her first heart transplant operation was on November 22.

Consultant surgeon Steven Tsui, who conducted Law’s second heart transplant operation at Papworth Hospital, said: “We are delighted that Sandy has done so well, and has gained 35 years of life since her first heart transplant at Papworth.

“She is particularly lucky to have received two heart transplants – of the more than 1,400 patients who have had a heart transplant at Papworth, only 32 have been suitable for a second transplant.

“We hope that Sandy will continue to enjoy life and remain well for many years to come.”