A teenager who had a bone marrow transplant has contracted a virus.

It was expected Kelly Byrne, 19, of Beech Avenue, Braintree, would be home to stay by now, having undergone the transplant operation on January 10.

But she must stay in University College Hospital, London, after the virus was discovered and is now taking antibiotics.

Boyfriend Geoff Winnington said: "We think she will be in for quite a while because it is quite a bad virus."

Mr Winnington said he thought the virus might be connected to the bone marrow Miss Byrne was given.

He is still visiting her in hospital and ringing to check how she is.

Published Wednesday, March 13, 2002