KIDNEY patient Ashley Rogers walked out of hospital following a life-saving transplant operation, and got married the next day.

Ashley, of Tarn Drive, Bury, tied the knot with sweetheart Lisa Shepherd in a service at Heywood Baptist Church.

The ceremony took place a year earlier than originally planned, due to fears that the 20-year-old baker might die from worsening kidney failure.

But with the wedding imminent, an organ match was found and Ashley received a new kidney 13 days before the wedding. He recovered and was released from hospital the day before the happy event.

Ashley said: "It was more than extra special for myself, Lisa, and both our families. Things couldn't have gone any better.

"I was feeling a little bit tired by the end of the day but that didn't take away from it. I think it was adrenaline that kept me going.

"We never considered putting the wedding off because they explained at hospital that I could be discharged for the day if I needed to be."

Former Castlebrook High pupil Ashley was diagnosed with progressive kidney failure 18 months ago.

In the summer he began four-hour sessions on a dialysis machine three times a week, and the couple brought their wedding date forward.

Now he will have to attend hospital for regular kidney function tests, but the prognosis is good.

Ashley said: "I am feeling 100 per cent better than I used to.

"We celebrated the wedding with a reception, but we will be waiting until things calm down properly before we start celebrating normal life."

Lisa added: "It was a bit scary, but we stuck together through it all with the support of family and friends.

"My friend had a transplant a few years and she helped a lot. Now we are looking forward to the future."