BONE marrow donor Annette Kilcoyne has been given the chance to save a child's life -- after a 20-year wait.

The 49-year-old, of Barrowford, is recovering from a donation operation after a telephone call from The Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust told her she was a match for a young leukaemia sufferer.

Annette (pictured), who works at the Benefits Agency, Burnley, only knows her marrow has been used to save the life of a child in this country. All other details are kept secret.

She is taking a close interest in how the stranger she will never meet or know is getting on. The first update is expected to be in the autumn.

"I've asked the Trust to keep me informed," said Annette. "I think everyone would want to know how the recipient is going on. Giving bone marrow to help save someone's life is a far more personal thing than giving blood to a central bank."

Annette, who is also a blood donor, registered with the Trust's database of potential donors in the early 1980s when she read about the plight of young Anthony Nolan in a leaflet picked up in a shopping centre. Annette's son David, who is now 20 and studying geophysics at Leicester University, was a baby at the time, which made Anthony's story more poignant.

"I decided I could help save someone's life, and at little cost to myself," said Annette.

She has previously been called to give a second blood sample in an unsuccessful bid to match her with a patient. Earlier this summer the call came again and Annette expected the same frustrating outcome. But two weeks later she was asked to go to London for a medical examination and the result came back as a positive match. Earlier this month she went back to London, and, under general anaesthetic, had an hour-long operation.

"The worst time was actually the three-hour journey home from London when I did feel really tired, but I soon perked up," she explained.

Her husband Peter, a retired civil servant, and David both supported her decision to donate marrow as did colleagues and bosses at her work.

Annette is encouraging other people to consider joining the 300,000-strong register. It is open to anyone aged between 18 and 40, over 8st, and in good health. A person can stay on the list until they are 55, provided they stay healthy.

The Pendle Friends of the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust meets on the last Tuesday of each month at the Punch Bowl pub, Skipton Road, Earby. Potential donors can also ring the Trust on 01423 879510.