A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD leuk-aemia sufferer is enjoying a new lease of life - and it is all thanks to his baby sister.

Matthew Algie, of Wellspring Close, Acklam, Middlesbrough, was diagnosed with the life-threatening disease when he was nearly three, and underwent years of unsuccessful chemotherapy.

Now, after a bone marrow transplant from his two-year-old sister, Rebecca, he is back at school and fighting fit.

His father, Jeff, 44, said he and his wife, Janet, were devastated when doctors told them Matthew had cancer.

"Matthew was fine until he had the MMR vaccine," he said. "After it, he became ill and was at the doctor's repeatedly.

"In February 1997, he was referred yet again to the hospital and a doctor demanded a blood test. That was when we found out he had leukaemia."

An intensive course of chemotherapy at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary followed and Matthew seemed to be getting better.

Mrs Algie, 38, became pregnant again, but five days before Rebecca's birth, in 1999, blood tests showed Matthew's leukaemia had returned.

Doctors told his parents his body would not cope with more chemotherapy and asked them to consider letting Matthew, a pupil at Acklam Whin Primary School, have a bone marrow transplant.

They took a sample of umbilical cord blood from Rebecca and found she was an almost perfect match with her brother.

"Jeff and I both had tests but weren't compatible," said Mr Algie. "We were totally against a transplant operation, as there are many risks involved. But Matthew relapsing was our worst fear confirmed.

"The doctors told us a sibling transplant was the sort most likely to succeed. We had to consider it as an option."

Fourteen months later, Mat-thew and Rebecca went into Newcastle General Hospital - and, to everyone's relief, the operation was a success.

Now, with Matthew on the road to recovery, the pair fight like any normal brother and sister - but their parents know they have a special bond.

"We didn't have Rebecca on the basis she would be able to do this but, obviously, we are so pleased she was a perfect match," said Mr Algie. "Matthew is just very happy that he feels better. We're now feeling really positive about the future."