BRAVE Joshua Hartley could be home in a matter of weeks after amazing doctors with his speedy recovery.

That's the latest news from Great Ormond Street Hospital, where the 12-year-old Romsey schoolboy received a life-saving bone marrow transplant from his mum Allison.

On Monday, Joshua was allowed out of strict isolation at the London hospital's Fox Ward for the first time.

Now dad David says he's "well on the way home," although no date has yet been set.

The Romsey School pupil is still being sick regularly, needs antibiotics and also help with eating, following the crucial transplant three weeks ago.

But he's now being weaned off food-support in preparation for leaving the hospital.

Incredibly, he's also managed to fend of the glandular fever bug which struck him down shortly before the operation - and which could be highly dangerous if it returned now.

David said: "We all feel an amazing sense of relief - and while Joshua still has a long way to go in terms of recovery, the signs are very positive."

He added: "The glandular fever virus is staying away and this has been seen as quite amazing. Indeed, the consultant at Great Ormond Street who we had been dealing with before the transplant initially didn't believe it."

"But it does seem to be very, very positive and everybody is looking forward to him coming home now."

Joshua is the oldest of four brothers suffering from one of the world's rarest genetic disorders, called XLP.

His brother Daniel, 8, is currently next in line to receive a bone marrow transplant from a mystery donor - the only cure for the disorder.

Nathan, 10, and four-year-old Luke still desperately need to find a bone marrow match.