The parents of a teenager who suffered brain damage after trying to rescue her friend from heavy seas have spoken of their painstaking struggle to nurse their daughter back to life.

Katie-Lou MacLean, 14, jumped into 20ft waves in an attempt to save her schoolfriend but ended up face-down in the water for 20 minutes after hitting her head on a harbour wall.

She has been in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, since the tragedy in June and will have to re-learn basic functions as though she were a baby.

Her friend, Tempany Sylvester, escaped from the ordeal in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, almost unscathed.

Katie-Lou's father, Andy, said: "As parents it has been very hard for us to come to terms with what's happened to our brave little girl.

"From day one we have been inundated with support and kindness from friends, family and the community of Eyemouth and many have expressed a wish to raise money and donate.

"Katie-Lou and her act of bravery has inspired many people."

Mr MacLean described how he has been using his iPad to help his daughter to see again during the daily 100-mile round-trips he makes to the hospital with his wife, Nikki.

He said: "I've been using LED apps on my iPhone and iPad and which scroll large black-and-white text across the screen.

"Black and white are apparently the first colours babies react to."

Mr MacLean, who said his daughter responded best when her surroundings were calm and quiet, added: "We are beginning to understand, terribly, that maybe we need to help Katie-Lou relearn some or maybe even most things from scratch.

"It's noticeable that her closing her eyes when asked, reacting to visual stimulation only really happens when things are quiet, you talk softly, up close to her and she's relaxed."

Mr MacLean, who said it is still hard for him and his wife to write or talk about what happened to his daughter, said he hoped to have Katie-Lou home early next year.

However, it is clear she will require round-the-clock care, and a trust has been set up to help adapt the family home to make it more comfortable for the teenager on her return.

So far, through community fundraisers and wristbands, the family have been able to raise more than £6000, with the latest event in Eyemouth at the end of last month drawing support from hundreds of people.

Eyemouth Coastguard officer Norman Richardson, who was involved in the rescue of Katie-Lou in June, said: "I feel very humbled in what we've managed to achieve in two weeks. It's really good."

Messages of support from friends and family are constantly posted on the Facebook page Get Well Soon Katie-Lou.

Schoolfriend Leevi Brown said: "Katie-Lou, it's difficult seeing a space at our table, in classes, the cafeteria. A part of me is missing, and that part of me is you."

Polly Malone said: "As you rest and heal, know that you are thought of warmly and wished a quick recovery. Frank, Maureen, Taragh & Polly x x x x."

Charley Ellis said: "Would just like to say Katie hun, Get well soon. You're a star, a hero, thinking of you and your family."

Julie Marshall said: "Come on beautiful keep doing what you are doing. You are getting stronger every day, we are so proud of you darling. Love you lots xxxxxxx."

Katie-Lou and her friend got into trouble as they dodged the massive waves.

Tempany was swept into the sea, with Katie-Lou going in to try to save her before being bashed against the harbour wall by the force of the waves.

Katie-Lou and her family moved to Eyemouth from the Plymouth area for a fresh start just six months before the devastating accident.

Her parents have since called for greater awareness among young people of the dangers posed by the water.

Reports at the time claimed there were no safety rings at the harbour where Katie-Lou was pulled into the water, with members of the public dangling over the harbour wall in a bid to pull her to safety.