A BRAVE Bury lad is back home with his loving family after undergoing a kidney transplant.

Five-year-old Ryan Walker has been in and out of hospital since Christmas. But his mum, Mrs Jeanette Walker, was amazed - and delighted - when a donor was found within days of her son being put on the kidney donor register: she was told the wait could have been years.

"He got a bit poorly at Christmas," said Mrs Walker of Mitchell Street, Bury. "We found out that his kidneys had failed. He might have been ill for a long time before that, he hasn't grown much in the last couple of years. He's been on dialysis since."

Mrs Walker, who spent many hours by his bedside following the surgery, said: "The doctor told us we'd have to wait ten days or ten years for a transplant. We couldn't believe it when one became available in just eleven days."

Ryan goes to Elton County Primary School, but has missed much of his first year through spending a lot of time at Pendlebury Children's Hospital.

"He goes back in September," said Mrs Walker. "He misses his friends but, like other children, not necessarily school!"

Young Ryan, who will have to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of his life, can now enjoy home life with his dad Ian and two brothers Daniel (8) and Liam (2).

"He's a special little boy, always very cheerful," she said. "Now he's back, he's happy and full of beans! It's better for him to be back home and get his life back to normal."

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