A MAN who almost died of kidney failure, only to be saved by his brother, has returned to the region after 27 years in Australia.

Five years ago, 67-year-old Brian Mann travelled to Perth to donate his kidney to older brother, John.

John, 68, said if the treatment had failed, it would have been hard for him to continue the dialysis that was keeping him alive.

"I knew he wanted me to have his kidney, but there was risk involved and I didn't expect him to. I wouldn't have put any pressure on him to donate," said John.

But doctors working on the operation were amazed by how well the brothers' kidneys matched, and last week John returned to Darlington, to enjoy his retirement.

John said: "Now I can come back and enjoy life thanks to Brian. I've been given a chance and I just want to make the best of it."

Studies by Kidney Research UK show there are 7,672 people waiting to receive a kidney in the UK, with only 1,800 transplants taking place each year, leaving thousands facing dialysis treatment.

"The impact on your life is such that you are living to dialyse. But we had to accept the fact and get on with life," said John.

"When Brian told me he was considering donating, it was wonderful. It's typical of how close we are as a family."

John moved to Australia to work as a subcontractor and later in pool maintenance. Along with wife Eileen, the couple enjoyed 27 years in Perth before deciding to move back to Darlington.

John hopes to split his time between his two loves, his family and fishing. "I used to fish the seas of Western Australia, but I could never really enjoy it because I would rather have been back fishing High Coniscliffe with a fly rod," he said.

To join the organ donor register, call 0800-783-2973 or visit www.kidneyresearchuk.org