A FORMER 16-stone rugby player is throwing his weight behind a campaign to save the hospital that gave him a second chance.

Russell Walton, 28, pictured, is backing the crusade to stop health ministers closing down the famous Wythenshawe Hospital, in Manchester, where he received life-saving treatment one year ago.

Civil engineer Russell, of Hollings, New Longton, is now back to full health after being given a new heart in March last year.

He developed a life-threatening heart condition in the Christmas prior to his operation after contacting a virus.

Within weeks his health deteriorated and Russell was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital before being transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital's intensive care unit.

He was diagnosed with a serious heart problem and was immediately put on the transplant list and received a new heart shortly afterwards.

After treatment and a convalescent period in hospital Russell was discharged in May last year.

Now he is helping to pay his debt of gratitude to the 15-year-old medical centre and has written to South Ribble MP David Borrow and the Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans urging them to take up the battle to save the hospital.

Russell said: "I am lucky to be alive and it's all thanks to the care and treatment I received at Wythenshawe.

"It would be a major tragedy if the centre were to close.

"It has a reputation as one of the world's leading transplant centres and is the only dedicated heart and lung centre for six million people across the North West."

The threat to close the hospital comes in the wake of a government rationalisation plan to reduce the number of national transplant centres from the existing six to four.

While three have already been earmarked for closure Wythenshawe is still on the hit list and could be selected as the fourth centre to shut.

Mr Borrow said: "I have been approached by many people on this issue and have written to minister in the Department of Health.

"I am awaiting their reply and will do all that I can to help save the hospital."