A remarkable friendship goes a step further on Wednesday when Bill Brough receives a kidney from his best pal Derek Marshall.

The rare friend-to-friend organ transplant at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, is one of only a few to be carried out in the UK.

The pair, from Teesside, have known each other since their school days.

If the two-hour operation is a success, it will mean 54-year-old Mr Brough, whose kidneys were damaged by Legionnaire's Disease, will be able to live a near-normal life.

If you were a brother you wouldn't hesitate. I can manage perfectly well with one kidney Derek Marshall

Mr Brough, who runs a shipping company, contracted the disease on a trip to Mexico in 2001.

Mr Brough said: "I really don't know how long I would survive without Derek's help.

"Everyone has friends, but I don't think many have a friend like this."

Unlike kidneys obtained from donors after death, there is no need for a close tissue match from a live donor.

As long as the donor is fit and healthy and has the same blood group as the recipient, the transplant has a good chance of success.

'Manage perfectly'

The transplant will free Mr Brough from four-hour sessions on a kidney machine three times a week.

The pair have known each other since they were youngsters at Whinney Banks Primary School in Middlesbrough.

Mr Marshall, 56, who comes from Middlesbrough, used to run his own haulage business before joining Mr Brough's firm.

He said: "If you were a brother you wouldn't hesitate. I can manage perfectly well with one kidney."

Mr Brough, who lives in Great Ayton, Teesside, was told he would have to rely on kidney dialysis for the rest of his life, unless a suitable donor could be found.