A father has told of his relief at his sons receiving a long-awaited vital operation.

Ten-year-old Jacob Rutherford and his brother Ben, nine, were born with a rare hereditary condition which has affected their family for generations.

The boys, of Kirby Cross, had enlarged spleens, causing them to be ill, over-tired and missing time off school.

But their parents, Steven and Catherine Rutherford, claim the boys underwent unnecessary delays for an operation when doctors disagreed on treatment for nearly a year.

Last week, Colchester General Hospital cancelled the procedure to have their spleens removed the day before it was scheduled due to a lack of nurses.

Yesterday, the brothers had the life-changing operation.

Mr Rutherford said: "It's a major and immense relief. We have waited so long and now it's done the boys can get on with their lives."

Published Thursday August 19, 2004

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