EIGHT-year-old Daniel Hartley from Romsey will be spending Christmas in isolation in a London hospital - after receiving the best present possible.

Daniel, pictured above, is still in Great Ormond Street Hospital after a life-saving bone marrow transplant last month.

His three brothers and mum Allison will be celebrating at their home in Winchester Road. But for Daniel, who suffers from one of the world's rarest genetic disorders, Christmas 2004 is already the best of his life.

Dad David, who will be at the hospital tomorrow, said: "It will be tough but Daniel has already received the very best Christmas present possible - a new immune system."

He added: "Daniel continues to do well at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

"They are very pleased about how the transplant has gone, and the graft remains very strong.

"He remains full of mischief and regularly has us all falling about with laughter. It has been amazing just how good he has been in the isolation room."

Daniel, along with brothers Joshua, 12, Nathan, 11 and four-year-old Luke, was diagnosed with X-linked lymphoproliferative syndrome, or XLP, in November last year.

The only cure is a bone marrow transplant. Without this sufferers rarely live beyond their teens.

Joshua, 12, received his transplant in the summer and is due to return to school in January.

The other two boys are due to undergo similar operations next year.

Daniel received his transplant from an anonymous donor in November.

He has low levels of a virus which means he cannot yet leave the isolation unit. However, he is eating well and doctors are pleased with his progress.

David Hartley also delivered this message to the thousands of Hampshire people who have supported them this year: "It is our sincere wish that you find peace this Christmas.

"For us, as committed Christians, it is a sacred time when we remember the birth of Jesus - the reason for the season."

To join the Anthony Nolan Trust's register of bone marrow donors which works to help people like the Hartley brothers, contact the charity on 0901 8822 234.