MANAWAR Houssin owes his life to his big brother, Manzoor.

The Bury market trader donated one of his own kidneys to give his brother the chance of life.

When Manawar (23, pictured right), of Manchester Road, Bury, was born with only half a kidney doctors gave him just four years to live.

But Manawar, the youngest of eight children, defied medical opinion and battled on.

He began dialysis when he was seven and before long it became a routine part of his life.

"I have spent about three quarters of my life in hospital, " said Manawar. "I never had a normal childhood. I was hardly at school and my health has restricted me from working."

In 1986, Manawar was given a ray of hope when his mother donated a kidney.

"We thought it would be the end of our troubles," said Manawar. But the organ stopped working three years later and he found himself back on dialysis.

"I was devastated. Although I was very young it was a very difficult time for me and my family, particularly my mother. I was back at square one," remembered Manawar.

Two years ago Manawar suffered further complications and doctors told his family he had little chance of survival without a transplant.

"It was a real shock when we nearly lost Manawar. I knew then that I had to help him," said Manzoor (27).

"The doctors warned me about the dangers involved in giving one of my own kidneys, but I just wanted to do whatever I could."

Both brothers are now back home recovering from the operation at Manchester Royal Infirmary last month and are delighted with their progress.

"We both feel well and seem to be making a good recovery. It is difficult to say what the future holds but we are hopeful," said Manawar.

"I owe my brother my life. He has given me another chance and I am very grateful for that."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.