THE man who underwent what was believed to be the first "bloodless" surgery in the North-East is recovering well at home.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe they are forbidden by the Bible to accept blood transfusions.

In March, when Albert Laidlaw, 69, suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm, when the main vessel taking blood from the heart ruptured, he stuck to his beliefs.

He became ill with excruciating pain and his doctor diagnosed his condition straight away. He was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital.

A doctor there said he was not able to perform an operation to save him without blood, but he was transferred to the Freeman Hospital, in Newcastle. Mr Laidlaw, a father of two from Gateshead, was taken to Newcastle in a special pressure suit to help stem blood loss. He was bleeding internally and the suit reduced the need for a transfusion.

The medical team, led by consultant vascular surgeon Tim Lees, was able to repair the aorta that had ruptured by inserting a plastic tube into the artery, and Albert was given drugs to help reduce blood loss.

Mr Laidlaw last night said since his operation he was leading a normal life.

He said: "I feel remarkable really. My wife and family are so thankful this operation was able to go ahead.

'I know what I can do and what I can't, and I just live a normal life."