A boy who underwent life-saving treatment has been allowed home from hospital weeks early after astonishing doctors with his progress.

Four-year-old Riley Mulvany, who underwent a bone marrow transplant six weeks ago, is now back at home with his family - patients are not usually discharged until three months after treatment.

The youngster, born with chronic granulomatous disorder (CGD), defied all the odds when a matching bone marrow donor was found only three months after the search began

He was diagnosed in February and has spent nearly six months in hospital this year.

Before his treatment, Riley had to endure chemotherapy to destroy his immune system in preparation for the transplant and has had to remain in a sterile environment.

Now he is home, he must be kept in isolation for at least six months. Only two visitors a day are allowed at the family home, in Whinfield, Darlington, and anyone entering the house must wash their hands and remove their shoes.

Riley can only eat meat and dairy products if they have been processed at high temperatures, has to be given four types of medicine ten times a day and visit the hospital twice a week.

The family will not be able to spend Christmas with Mr Mulvany's parents and extended family, as they normally do, because Riley cannot be around more than two people at a time.

He cannot see other children, apart from his seven-year-old sister, Leona, in case they pass on an infection.

He was due to start school in September, but will be tutored at home for the isolation period.

Last night, his father, Paul, said he and Riley's mother, Aimee Watson, were very proud of their son and "over the moon" he was back home.

"Obviously, there still could be complications, but we are just glad to be home and all together," he said.

He said the family, who have spent thousands of pounds travelling to Newcastle General Hospital, were trying to save up for a holiday when Riley is allowed out of isolation.

"He's been through so much this year, he really deserves a holiday," said Mr Mulvany, 25.

He thanked the doctors and nurses at the hospital and said he hoped the other children they had met made as much progress as Riley.

He said: "We are over the moon. We are totally over-joyed.

"It's a big weight off our shoulders that they think he is well enough to come home.

"We are so proud of him. We can't believe how well he has done."