TWENTY years after receiving a new kidney, an athlete from the region has scooped two medals at the World Transplant Games in Thailand.

Denise Baker of Darlington won two bronze medals at the event, held over the weekend in Bangkok.

Mrs Baker, who for the past 27 years has worked as a barmaid at the Model T pub in the town, finished third in both 400m and 100m freestyle swimming events.

The 49-year-old grandmother-of-two, who was the oldest competitor in each race, said yesterday she was delighted to achieve two podium finishes.

"Because everyone was younger than me, I was really pleased to come away with a medal," she said.

In 1987, after kidney failure, Mrs Baker underwent a transplant and was taken off dialysis. Swimming had always been a hobby for her, but coming off dialysis inspired her to take it further, both for personal reasons, and to help others who are waiting for donors.

She said: "The games raise awareness of the need for the organ donor register. It is very important for people to carry a donor card and to get on the register because it is there to save people's lives."

Large crowds gathered to see the games, and the opening ceremony was attended by the princess of Thailand. The United Kingdom squad were crowned winners of the games after finishing top of the leaderboard, beating 50 other countries.

Thailand was the sixth world championships Mrs Baker has competed in since her transplant, following competitions in Australia, Hungary, Japan, France and Canada.

Mrs Baker said she will return to training after a short break, in preparation for the next British Transplant Games in Sheffield next year.