A seriously-ill grandmother stranded thousands of miles from her Bradford home is finally showing signs of improvement, her relieved family said today.

Last week Janet Rylance was fighting for her life in a Tokyo hospital after undergoing emergency surgery to remove blood clots from her brain.

The 55-year-old had been travelling back from visiting relatives in Australia when she fell ill - and doctors gave her a 50 per cent chance of survival.

The family of the Wibsey mother-of-six clubbed together to send her daughter Susan Bailey to her Tokyo bedside - currently costing them around £100 every day in hotel, travel and telephone charges.

Her son-in-law David Balmires said: "She has been in intensive care for two weeks now and we think she could be out in the next couple of days."

Mr Balmires, 41, of Speeton Avenue, Horton Bank Top, added: "The reports the family have been getting back are good. Every day she is eating a little bit more and has been sitting up and chatting.

"She still has her bad times. She can get confused and is in a strange place where nobody speaks English. Susan has turned up and found her in tears."

But doctors at the Narita Red Cross Hospital have said it will be at least another two weeks before they know if any permanent damage has been done to her brain and she will not be discharged until then.

The family have set up a fighting fund to keep Mrs Bailey at her mother's bedside.

"It has been absolute hell for her. She deserves a medal. We will probably send out another member of the family to relieve her," said Mr Balmires.

His brother Nick Kenny is now organising a charity concert along with workmates from the Bradford-based chemical firm Ciba. The Stars in their Eyes-style group, which has already raised thousands of pounds for various charities, is looking for a 300-plus seat venue and anyone who can help should contact Bradford 417889.

Mr Balmires added: "We are all hoping and praying that Janet will be home with us soon where she belongs."

The family have thanked all those who offered support after reading about Janet's plight in the T&A. Anyone who can help should contact Bradford 503197.

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