A CRUCIAL transplant operation aimed at saving the life of a 12-year-old Hampshire boy has gone smoothly, doctors say.

Yesterday's bone marrow transplant, which saw stem cells from Allison Hartley injected into her son Joshua, was successful, said Dr Paul Vase.

The treatment, at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital, lasted just minutes as Josh received blood from his mother through a needle in his arm.

Today he has started a six-week isolation period, when he will only be allowed visits from mum and dad, David, while his immune system rebuilds itself.

Dr Vase added: "Joshua has coped well with the chemotherapy and we had a very good cell dose from his donor, his mother.

"He remains relatively well in himself and there are no significant complications so far."

The next few weeks are now crucial. Despite medical advances, the transplant is still a risky procedure and at this stage, Joshua is prone to infection that could be difficult to treat.

But at the family home in Winchester Road, Romsey, the mood is one of confidence.

Dad David said: "Joshua is doing quite well under the circumstances. He is very tired, but he's bound to be. The nurses think he is coping brilliantly."

Josh's grandmother, Esther Ward, told the Daily Echo: "Josh was feeling a bit rough afterwards but he's a good fighter. Allison seems well and is now with him. We're just waiting to see how it goes from here, and if the stem cells take all right."

Josh is one of four Hampshire brothers who all suffer from the same genetic disorder, one of the rarest in the world, called X-linked Lymphoproliferative Syndrome (XLP) or Duncan's disease.

His brother Daniel, eight, has a donor - but matches are still needed for Nathan, 10, and four-year-old Luke.

If you are between 18 and 40 and would like more information about becoming a bone marrow donor, ring the Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust on 0901 882 2234.