JOSHUA Hartley could be back in school by Christmas.

That's the hope for the 12-year-old Romsey School pupil, who is making a speedy recovery after receiving a life-saving bone marrow transplant.

Joshua is one of four brothers with one of the world's rarest genetic disorders, called X-Linked Lymphoproliferative disease.

But following the bone marrow transplant from mum Allison, he's now been dubbed ex-XLP - and dad David says the family hopes he'll soon be back at school.

"We went up to see the consultants at Great Ormond Street and it's all pretty positive," he said.

"On December 9, it will be six months since Joshua's transplant. He has put on a lot of weight in the last two weeks, no temperatures, sickness or signs of graft vs host disease and he is very bright.

"He is the best we have seen him for, well, as long as we can remember. We are all hopeful that he could be back at school just before Christmas."

Although Joshua is officially cured of the genetic disorder that can prevent sufferers living beyond their teens unless they receive a transplant, there's still a few further weeks of recovery before he can mix with crowds.

Meanwhile, the Hartleys are gearing up for stage two in the treatment of their three other sons, Nathan, 10, Daniel, 8, and four-year-old Luke.

All three boys have found donors, but still have to undergo the lifesaving bone marrow transplant.

It is hoped that the operations will all go ahead at Great Ormond Street Hospital within the next 18 months.

To join the bone marrow donor register to help children like the Hartley boys, as well as adults, contact the Anthony Nolan Trust on 0901 8822 234.

Alternatively, the organisation desperately needs cash to help process the thousands of donors joining the list.