BRAVE Joshua Hartley is on his way back to school.

Following his lifesaving bone marrow transplant in the summer, the 12-year-old is ready to rejoin his classmates at Romsey School in the new year.

Doctors now say he's a former XLP sufferer - a year after he was first diagnosed with one of the world's rarest genetic disorders, called X-Linked Lymphopro liferative syndrome.

Josh is blazing a trial for his three younger brothers, who all suffer from the same condition.

His eight-year-old brother Daniel, who received his vital bone marrow donation last month is making a speedy recovery at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Doctors have officially dubbed him "post transplant" - though he's currently suffering from a temperature and bug.

Dad David said: "Overall the team at the hospital are very pleased with his progress. Thanks to all that have written to him and sent presents. He is definitely now a Lego addict."

He added: "Joshua remains well and we have just had confirmation that his graft remains 100 per cent - hurray! It is now planned that he will go back to school in the new year."

In November last year, Joshua, Daniel and their brothers Nathan, ten, and four-year-old Luke, were all diagnosed with the rare condition.

The family, from Winchester Road, Romsey, were told that without treatment, the boys would not live through their teens.

It sparked a massive media appeal to find bone marrow donors for the four youngsters.

About 16,000 people joined the Anthony Nolan Trust's register as a result.

The family then discovered that mum Allison was a match for Joshua - and doctors started pressing ahead to give him the vital operation. Next, a mystery donor was found for Daniel.

While Joshua was in hospital receiving his transplant, another piece of the jigsaw fell into place when doctors announced that a donor had been found that could give bone marrow to both Nathan and Luke. With the first hurdle overcome, the family are now in the second phase of their journey - to see all four boys through their transplant.

Joshua's planned return to school is a major milestone, the first Hartley boy to get back to normal life following a successful transplant.

MP BACKS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING:

ROMSEY MP Sandra Gidley has given her backing to a campaign to get government funding for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The Liberal Democrat backbencher has signed up to an early day motion in Parliament supporting the work of the charity.

Cash backing from Whitehall would make finding bone marrow donors easier in the future, the MP claims.

It costs the trust about £70 to process each potential donor - but it receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations.

This year alone, the trust had to find £13m.

Mrs Gidley said: "The Anthony Nolan Trust continually need donors to help patients suffering from diseases which can only be helped by a bone marrow transplant.

"All adults who are eligible to join should think about doing so. One day they might just save a life."

Ring the charity hotline on 0901 8822 234 to donate money or find out how to become a donor.