DOCTORS say a bone marrow transplant aimed at saving the life of a 12-year-old Romsey boy should be a success.

Experts at London's world-famous Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital say the bone marrow transplant received by Joshua Hartley last week looks like being 90 per cent successful.

It's the best news the family, of Winchester Road, Romsey, could hope for as they wait to find out for certain whether Joshua's body has begun to produce its own vital stem cells.

Dad David said: "The transplant went without a hitch - now the waiting game really starts. It will be some time before we know if it has been successful or not, but the consultants estimate it should be 90 per cent successful."

Josh is one of four Hartley brothers suffering from one of the world's rarest genetic disorders, the potentially fatal X-linked lymphoproliferative disease.

The only cure is a bone marrow transplant - and on Thursday the Romsey School pupil received one from his mother, Allison.

The 39-year-old produced four times the stem cells required for the transplant during a five-hour "harvesting" operation and the blood was then injected via a drip into Joshua.

"Joshua has had some sickness and is very tired - but he is doing well," added David. "He is starting to miss home and his friends after two weeks in isolation."

It will be next week before the family know for sure whether the transplant has been a success, and Joshua then faces a further five weeks in an isolated hospital ward before being allowed home.

Before Josh, the oldest of four brothers, finishes his recovery in January next year, treatment should have started on the next Hartley boy waiting for the vital operation.

Eight-year-old Daniel already has a donor but matches are still desperately needed for Nathan, ten, and Luke, four.

Anyone can join the bone marrow donor register, but the Anthony Nolan Trust, the charity that organises the list, is particularly keen to target healthy males aged 18 to 40.

To find out more and become a donor, call 0901 88 22 234.