A VITAL transplant to give brave Bolton youngster Nathan Howarth a new lease of life has been hailed a success by doctors - and he celebrated with his first day at home since the operation.

Test results have revealed that seven-year-old Nathan, who suffers from rare genetic blood disorder Fanconi's Anaemia, is responding well to an operation which saw blood cells taken from the umbilical cord of his baby sister Hannah and injected into his body.

His delighted parents, Denise Kelly and Mick Howarth, have been told the stem cell transplant has been a success and their courageous son's bone marrow is now producing red and white blood cells which means another 10 years could be added to his life.

After being allowed back to his home in Great Lever yesterday for the first time since the operation, Nathan tucked into a roast dinner followed by strawberry gateaux, and told his mum: "It's better than the food at hospital."

His mum, Denise Kelly, said: "We are so elated. There is such a sense of joy in the family, it's unbelievable, and such a weight has been lifted off our shoulders.

"It's so lovely to have him around. A house is not a home without the children and to see him running around and playing has been wonderful.

"When he and his sister saw each other, their faces lit up with excitement. Nathan's still quite weak, but he's being lively and is really cheery."

Nathan is now allowed to spend a few hours each day at home with his family, but must return to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury every night where he will be linked up to a special line to administer vital drugs.

Doctors at the hospital are trying to obtain the drugs in a form which can be taken orally so Nathan can return home full-time. Mrs Kelly, aged 34, and her partner Mick Howarth hope this will be by the end of this week.

Nathan has suffered from Falconi's Anaemia for four years, a condition that leaves him exhausted and pale.

Doctors told his parents their son would have around a year to live without the transplant. Nathan's little sister provided the vital stem cells from her umbilical cord when she was born six months ago.

The operation will allow Nathan to live into adulthood, by which time it is hoped a cure can be found. Importantly, the success of the operation also means that Hannah will not have to donate any more stem cells.

But Nathan still has to stay in isolation for five months, staying indoors to reduce the chance of infection, and will not be able to see his friends.