Student Claire Rogers has been given a new lease of life after her dad Paul donated one of his kidneys to her.

Claire, 20, was diagnosed with kidney problems in November 1996.

Doctors told her the organs would continue to function for about three years. She would then be faced with years of dialysis until a suitable donor was found.

But her parents Paul and Sandra decided when the situation became critical they would offer to be donors.

Mr Rogers, 43, of The Vineway, Dovercourt, was found to be a perfect match.

Claire was studying for her business studies and marketing degree at the University of Kent when her condition worsened.

Mr Rogers said: "Claire was getting infections every six months and was having to be hospitalised in Canterbury and we became conscious of the fact that the situation was getting worse."

The operation was carried out on June 4 at Guys Hospital in London. One of Mr Rogers' kidneys was removed and put into his daughter's body.

The operation went well and Mr Rogers was home in a week and Claire followed two days later.

Claire, pictured above with her dad, said: "He's given me a new gift of life and I feel really happy and so alive."

"My hair feels better, my nails are growing and I have got proper colour in my face instead of being yellow."

Her father said he was in no doubt about giving up one of his kidneys. "People have said that I am really brave but I haven't done anything that any other parent wouldn't have done."

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