A ROMANIAN child who touched the hearts of the people of Bolton has been adopted by a British couple. Augustina, now aged seven, became a familiar face in the Bolton Evening News as news of her fight for life began to break. She was discovered dying in an orphanage being renovated by firemen from the Greater Manchester Fire Service's Romanian appeal and was flown to England in April, 1993 for life-saving treatment.

The flight was paid for by the Bolton Evening News. And it was while she was staying in this country that a couple from Staffordshire, Jean and Peter Riley, began the long battle to keep her here.

Yesterday, in an emotional court hearing, Augustina was officially adopted by Mr and Mrs Riley and became a legal British citizen and given the name Augustina Riley. From Page 1 It marked the end of almost two years of official red-tape and the start of Augustina's life as a British child.

When she went to live with the Rileys, in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, a year last February, it was to ensure Augustina received the vital medical treatment she needed. At that stage adoption was not under consideration.

She had already made one return to Romania but had to be rushed back to this country when her condition worsened.

When it became clear how serious Augustina's medical condition was - she had already undergone major heart surgery and would require further operations in years to come - the Rileys began making enquiries about adopting her.

They heard about a campaign to keep Augustina in England, which involved Bolton North-east MP Peter Thurnham and the organisation ARC, the Adopted Romanian Children's Society.

"We were asked to take a look at her and when we saw her we knew we wanted to help," said 52-year-old Mrs Riley. The Rileys have another adopted Romanian daughter, 14-year-old Cezarina, who came to live with them at the age of nine, also from an orphanage. She is devoted to Augustina.

Augustina needs constant supervision, she has cerebral palsy, has grave physical and mental handicaps and will need further operations in several years' time.

"If she had stayed in Romania she would have died," said Mrs Riley. Augustina goes to a special school in Newcastle and is thriving, thanks to the love and care of the Riley family.

Jean, who runs a post office and 54-year-old Peter, a postman, also have two other older children, Steve and Barrie.

It is not yet known what the future will hold for her, but the Rileys intend to give her all the medical help and love she will need.

"We do not know if the years of neglect at the orphanage in Romania have left her permanently damaged.

"Now she is an official British citizen she will get all the help and treatment she needs," said a delighted Mrs Riley.

Although Augustina is not an orphan her father agreed to her adoption because he was not able to care for her in Romania. She had been left at the squalid orphanage in Tirgu-Carbunesti when she was just two months old and spent her days languishing in a cot. Mr and Mrs Riley, Cezarina and Augustina, who celebrated her seventh birthday two weeks ago, all attended yesterday's court hearing when the judge declared the tot officially adopted.

The youngster spent much of the hearing dashing about the court, something she could not have done two years ago.

"It was a marvellous day for us all. Now we can get on with getting all the help Augustina needs," said Mrs Riley.

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