WILTSHIRE TIMES EXCLUSIVE: TAXI driver Nigel Davis has given his brother the gift of life after undergoing transplant surgery to donate one of his kidneys.

Mr Davis, 48, of Hilperton, underwent surgery at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, when surgeons removed one of his healthy kidneys and transplanted it into his brother Phil, 52.

Phil, who has diabetes, faced a life of weekly dialysis treatments after his kidneys had started to fail in the last two years.

Nigel said: "Someone said to me last night that I must be really brave but I do not think so.

"I admit I am not a big fan of needles but the thought of having an operation was not going to put me off having the transplant.

"I have had the opportunity to make someone's life better and it has been a privilege especially because it is my brother."

Before a living donor transplant can go ahead a series of strict regulations must be met involving a long process of assessment.

Mr Davis said: "We had weeks of tests before the operations and I was back and forth to Bristol, sometimes several times a week, just to get the tests all done.

"It was quite tense waiting to find out if we were a good match. They told us that our match could not be closer if we had been twins."

The brothers were admitted to Southmead Hospital for the surgery on January 12 and were back home within a week.

Phil returned to hospital on Tuesday for emergency surgery but doctors have reassured the family it is routine and they do not think his body is rejecting the new kidney.

If the transplant fails Phil could have another one but he will always have to take daily medication to prevent rejection.

The surgery has taken its toll and Nigel faces 10 weeks of complete rest.

He said: "For some reason it is easier for Phil's body to get used to having an extra kidney than for mine to get used to having just one.

"It was odd going into hospital feeling well and coming out feeling rough but the change in Phil was incredible. It was instant.

"He has not been himself for a few years because he has felt so ill but now he is back to his old self. He looks much healthier too and I am just chuffed to bits to see him so well again."

There are around 7,000 patients in the UK waiting for a transplant to save or greatly improve their lives.

Demand for transplants outstrips the number available and improvements in road safety in recent years means the numbers available are even less. Living donors like Nigel have become the only way to make up the shortfall.

Some people wait years undergoing difficult and stressful treatment while doctors search for a donor and for some it means they will die before a suitable organ becomes available.

Nigel said: "I think it is becoming easier to link up a patient with a donor because the anti-rejection drugs are so good these days a perfect match is not as important as it used to be."

Friends from the White Swan pub in Trowbridge, where Nigel is a regular, have been supportive and pass on their congratulations.

Nigel said: "Our mum was the first person who mentioned it to me and asked if I could take the tests to see if we were a close enough match.

"I did not even think twice about it because he is my brother and I know he would have done the same for me."

Chris Rudge, medical director at NHS UK Transplant, said: "Around 2,700 people have their lives saved or transformed every year thanks to the generosity of donors and their families.

"But every year nearly 400 people die waiting for a suitable organ to become available and many more lose their lives before they even get onto the transplant list."

Anyone can join the NHS Organ Donor Register, by calling the Organ Donor Line on 0845 606 0400 or visiting

www.uktransplant.org.uk