A Bradford farmer has given his niece the ultimate gift - that of life.

Christopher Foster underwent a transplant operation earlier this month to donate a kidney to his sister's daughter, Jill Wright.

Mr Foster, pictured, decided to help her after he found out last Christmas she could be waiting on a transplant list for eight years.

The healthy 59-year-old, who runs a bed and breakfast business as well as farming, told her he could help.

Now his gift has meant 38-year-old Ms Wright, of Surrey, has swapped her nine-hour nightly sessions hooked up to a dialysis machine for tablets and hospital check-ups.

She said her life had been transformed since the operation was carried out at St Helier Hospital in Carshalton, Surrey.

"I just feel alive again, I cannot really describe it," the mother-of-two said.

"I have done more exercise in the last three weeks than in the last three years. I have been given my life back."

Ms Wright had suffered from kidney disease for six years after picking up a virus.

When Mr Foster, of Thornton, volunteered for the transplant, he was given a battery of tests which showed he was a good match.

The pair went into hospital at the beginning of the month for the operation.

Ms Wright said the experience was very emotional, especially when her uncle was taken for his kidney to be removed.

She was then operated on and rather than taking out one of her kidneys, the new one was placed in her abdomen and connected to her bladder and an artery.

Three days after the surgery Ms Wright was walking around and four days afterwards the pair were released from hospital.

Doctors have told them everything went to plan and Mr Foster now returns for check-ups, while Ms Wright is tested twice-weekly at hospital to make sure her anti-rejection drugs are at the correct level.

"It's just a complete turn around, it's absolutely fantastic."

The IT consultant can now eat and drink virtually anything she wants and has even been swimming.

"Before I always felt tired and run-down. I could not get motivated to do anything."

She said she was overwhelmed by her uncle's kindness.

"He is a real star - I cannot express how grateful I am."

Mr Foster said being in hospital made him realise what his niece was going through and he was very glad to be able to help.

"She has got a completely different lifestyle.

"It's unbelievable the way she improved straightaway.

"I cannot understand why other people don't do it because it is no problem to the one that's donating and the benefits to the recipient are marvellous."