A TEENAGER has undergone a bone marrow transplant in a bid to save his sister's life.

Jamie Hamilton, who turned 18 in March, had the surgery for his sister Kerry, 21, who was re-diagnosed with leukaemia in January.

The transplant took place this week but it will be some time before the family, of Richmond Park, Darwen, know how well the procedure at Manchester's Christie Hospital went.

Kerry's dad Stuart, 55, said: "I'm really proud of Jamie and he's so casual about it. You can't imagine how grateful Kerry is for giving her this chance. We just hope it works.

"Kerry is quite poorly at the moment, she has several infections due to the treatment prior to transplant. Kerry will be kept in isolation for several weeks until her immunity is strong enough."

Kerry was first diagnosed with leukaemia in 2000 and went through more than two years of chemotherapy followed by maintenance treatment, and was given the all clear last October. However the disease returned and Kerry was advised her best option would be a bone marrow transplant.

Jamie, a second year A-level student at Runshaw College, Leyland, was found to be a suitable match and the former Darwen Moorland High School pupils were booked for surgery.

Kerry, who was studying to become a teaching assistant, had to go through a week of intense radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy in preparation for the transplant.

She will be in isolation for at least four weeks as she is very prone to infection because her immune system was destroyed by the radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She also has to wait for the transplant to graft.

Her mum Judith, 49, is staying in a residential area of the hospital.