Marine flies home to save his son

Father and son are recovering well at home in Somerset

A Royal Marine from Somerset has returned home from Afghanistan to a hero's welcome after saving the life of his three-year-old son.

James King, 28, from Yeovil, donated a kidney to his son, also called James.

Young James, who was born with a kidney condition, had become seriously ill and the need for a transplant was urgent.

Mr King flew home and was admitted to Southmead Hospital for the kidney to be removed. It was then transplanted into his son at Bristol Children's Hospital.

Before little James was given the new kidney his life revolved around three trips a week to the Children's Hospital in Bristol for dialysis.

Then in June he contracted severe peritonitis - a condition where a membrane which lines the abdominal cavity and surrounds the organs in the abdomen becomes inflamed.

'Easy decision'

His father flew home and tests showed he was a perfect match.

The operation was carried out in July and he is now recovering well.

"I've got Daddy's kidney," he said. "I feel much better now."

His father, who has done two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, said the decision was an easy one.

"Any parent would say yes as soon as you know you're a match," he said.

His mother Louise has noticed a big difference in her little boy since the operation.

"Before we literally had to take him everywhere in a pushchair as he got so tired," she said.

"Now we're running after him because he won't stop."