But this year the 68-year-old grandmother was able to get fully involved in family festivities thanks to the new lease of life given to her by her daughter, Avril Scott.

The mum-of-four, from Weldon, says she now feels like a "new woman" after receiving a new kidney from Ms Scott on December 20 last year.

She said: "I am very well now, I feel like a new woman.

"Before the operation all I did was sleep.

"Now I can do things such as change the bedding, vacuum and go for walks.

"I think because of my age it has taken me longer to get off the medication I have been taking than some younger people, but I am getting there.

"I was originally on 22 tablets a day and now I am on 12.

"After I had the operation I recovered quickly and was able to spend Christmas Day with my daughter Lorraine, who waited on me hand and foot.

"But this year I have a lot more energy.

"It was an amazing thing that Avril did. I cannot thank her enough."

Before the operation Mrs Clarkson had been enduring regular dialysis sessions to carry out the work of her failing kidneys.

After she had the transplant doctors revealed that she had actually been dying, so her daughter's donation turned out to be real lifesaver.
Ms Scott, 46, said: "I am feeling very well now.

"After the operation I had low energy levels, which is normal.

"I have been having acupuncture sessions and been taking herbal remedies which have helped to make me feel better.

"I get tearful now when I realise what I have done for mum.

"I think that at first I didn't realise the enormity of it.

"Now she is texting me all the time to thank me.

"This has really brought us together, not that we weren't close before."

Ms Scott, who works as a counsellor in Yorkshire, didn't spend
Christmas Day with her mother – who spent it with her other daughter and grandchildren in Corby – but travelled to Weldon to spend time with her afterwards.

She won a Pride in Northamptonshire Award earlier this year after her mother nominated her for her act of kindness.