A BOY who already has one of his grandmother's kidneys is set to have another transplant operation - thanks to his mum.

Nine-year-old Mark Bailey had his first transplant operation five years ago, but recent tests revealed he has started to reject the kidney donated by his grandmother, Kathleen.

His mum, Andrea, of Larch Road, Guisborough is now undergoing compatibility tests.

She said: "I've had lots of tests and there's only one more to go. Then it will be a case of being on stand-by until Mark gets really ill.

"He is fine at the moment, full of energy and very fit but the doctors think it could be just before or just after Christmas when he starts rejecting the kidney more."

Mrs Bailey has explained what is happening to Mark, who was too young to understand the first transplant operation.

She said: "We knew he would need another transplant at some time but we hoped he would be older. It is a lot for us all to go through but we are ready for it. Mark thinks once he has one of his mum's kidneys he'll be fine."

Mark, a pupil at North Gate Junior School, hopes to compete in the North-East Transplant Games.

He will undergo tests just before the games and if he is well enough he is planning to compete in a number of races including the 50 metre dash.