Hope had to endure 13 hours of dialysis daily before the transplant

Hope Fletcher is still recovering from the operation which is thought to have involved one of the biggest age gaps between donor and patient - Hope his two, her granddad Roger Lees is 61.

The toddler's parents, Beth and Matt Fletcher, who live in Chelmsford, were both tested to see if they could provide a kidney.

But when the results were negative, Mr Lees put himself forward and was found to be a perfect match.

Before the operation, Hope had to endure 13 hours of dialysis every night and had to have her food and drink pumped into her stomach via a tube.

Roger Lees said it was wonderful for Hope to begin a new life

Mr Lees said Hope's life would now change for the better.

"The wonderful thing for my wife Carol and myself is just to see Hope being able to begin a much more normal life," he said.

"I don't feel like I have lost a kidney, I feel exactly the same and my body feels exactly the same."

Mrs Fletcher said: "He was quite determined to put himself forward.

"We have just been so blessed by the fact that he has been able to do that and give Hope this gift."