ENGLAND cricket star Liam Plunkett was prepared to put his career on the line by offering his ailing father one of his kidneys.

Alan Plunkett, 49, suffers from the potentially life-threatening hereditary condition polycystic kidney disease.

His health worsened recently and he was told he would need to have renal dialysis or a transplant.

It was then that County Durham fast bowler Liam made the offer, which was turned down by his father who feared the operation might affect his career.

Mr Plunkett senior said: "The only person in my family who could give me a kidney is Liam, as both my brothers and sister have the same condition, and my daughter Natalie, 23, has also been tested positive for the disease.

"He offered, but I said 'thanks, but no thanks'.

"It was an amazing thing to do but I could not accept because I would be worried it would affect his cricket career.

"Instead, I am awaiting dialysis until a new kidney becomes available, which could be about two years away."

People who donate a kidney usually suffer no ill effects, but are advised to protect their remaining kidney by, for example, avoiding rough contact sports.

Polycystic kidney disease causes large fluid-filled cysts to develop on both kidneys, which can cause them to fail. Mr Plunkett has had the condition since his early 20s.

Liam, 21, who flew to the Caribbean on Friday to spearhead England's World Cup challenge, had kept his family heartache secret.

Mr Plunkett, a former chemical technician at ICI, said: "Liam has kept me going. My heart feels like it will burst."

The two are so close that Liam has just bought a house a short drive from his parents' home in Marton, Middlesbrough.

Liam is part of England's 15-man squad in the West Indies. His inclusion follows his brilliant form Down Under when he helped England beat the Australians in the tri-nation series.

He credits his father with his success.

"Everything I am as a cricketer is down to my dad," he said.

"He was a decent fast-bowler for Marske (in the North Yorkshire South Durham League) in his day, so there must be something in the genes.

"But he is also my strength, my real driving force, and I wish he could be in the Caribbean because we have got a chance to pull off something special."