A CLOVENFORDS grandmother has struck gold at the British Transplant Games.

Hilde Paxton, who had a liver transplant shortly after her 60th birthday, endured record temperatures at Newport on Thursday to claim first in the archery competition.

The 69-year-old had won silver at previous games.

And she was so delighted with her first ever gold medal she celebrated with a rare glass of wine.

Hilde told us: "I really didn't think I had won as the heat began to get to me towards the end of the competition.

"It had been a long day as I was out supporting other competitors before we started at around 2pm and by 4pm I was beginning to wane.

"Because there are two groups you don't know how the other competitors are doing and it came as a great surprise when they announced I'd won.

"I don't normally drink alcohol, but I had of glass of wine in the evening.

"I don't normally pick up a bow from one year to the next but I've enjoyed myself so much this year that I'm looking to join an archery club."

Hilde was competing in her eighth British Transplant Games.

And she hopes her story of recovery from death's door, following a life-saving transplant, to reach the top of the podium will inspire others to consider registering as organ donors.

Hilde had always been fit and healthy, falling ill for one of the few times in her life when she was 59.

The businesswoman was later diagnosed with jaundice and had a shock to her liver.

She was rushed to Edinburgh Royal's transplant department, as a build up of poison in her body made Hilde delirious the following week she was unconscious.

A match for her kidney was found a week later and her life changed forever following a successful transplant.

Hilde added: "I hope the Transplant Games highlight the importance of organ donation and starts families talking about registering to donate."

Hilde competed at her first British Transplant Games in Belfast less than a year after receiving her new liver.