A Bradford lung transplant patient has won a bronze medal swimming in the British Transplant Games.

Mick Neilan,pictured, won the gong in the 50 metres breaststroke event at the games held at Keele University.

The Wibsey grandfather underwent a single lung transplant in 1999 after being blighted by emphysema for ten years.

The disease had left him housebound and needing oxygen 24 hours a day.

Previously a Post Office driver, Mr Neilan was forced to give up work when he became too ill.

Doctors told him there was nothing else they could do for him and he accepted he was "waiting to die".

But after persistence from his wife Kathleen, he eventually joined the transplant waiting list.

Following one aborted attempted, he had the operation at Manchester's Wythen-shawe Hospital almost four years ago.

He said he was thrilled but very surprised to win his medal in the Supervets category for over-55s.

"When you are up against people who have had new hearts, kidneys and livers they are obviously going to have an advantage over me who only has one lung working."

The 63-year-old said his training had only been a few swims this year as he still tired easily and picked up infections often.

But he said the transplant had given him "a new lease of life" from how he felt before.

Mr Neilan, of Northfield Grove, had never heard about the games until earlier this year.

He also competed in the shotput and backstroke events, as well as his favourite sport - fishing.

"But things like running were completely out of the question," he said.

And Kathleen, as well as the couple's two daughters and four grandchildren, were also thrilled to hear of his success.

The first British Transplant Games were held in 1978 and are now held annually.

Competitors are aged from two to 75 and more than 50 teams from throughout the country take part.

Next year's games will be held in Norwich from July 29 until August 1.

The World Transplant Games have also just taken place in Nancy, France.