CARING Chris Baldock has handed his bride-to-be the perfect wedding gift - the chance of a new life.

His selfless gesture means he and partner, Valerie Lancaster, will be able to spend the rest of their lives together, a wish that might never have come true.

Oil rig worker Chris, 43, and Valerie, 51, from Redcar, have been together 12 years.

But Valerie, who suffers from a kidney condition, began to suffer prolonged bouts of illness.

Chris wanted to do all he could for Valerie, and went for tests, although he never thought he could be a kidney match - surprisingly he was.

Without hesitation, he decided he wanted Valerie to have one of his kidneys and in November last year, the transplant took place at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

The pair are celebrating the success of the surgery by getting engaged. And to seal their extra special bond, they plan to marry at Rushpool Hall, Saltburn, in October.

Valerie has known for a few years that she was suffering a deteriorating kidney condition, which would have eventually resulted in kidney failure.

She said: "As soon as I knew my kidneys were going to fail, Chris started having tests to see if he could be a donor."

Chris said: "It was a great surprise when we discovered I was a match. I just wanted to help however I could, and this has made us even closer and our love more special."

Chris plays guitar with local band The Relics, which recently handed over £1,710 to the North East Patients' Kidney Fund at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.