Desperately-ill schoolboy Alex Robson has been saved by a seven million-to- one bone marrow transplant.

Alex, 12, was struck down as a toddler with a rare condition which normally affects the elderly.

He was put at the top of a worldwide search for the donor that could save him from the condition, myelodyplasia (MDS), which has almost destroyed his immune system.

A 42-year-old British woman was the only person on the global register who could save him and her marrow was used in the transplant at Newcastle General Hospital

Alex's parents, Audrey and Jim Robson, of Burnmoor, near Sunderland, said their son's condition was a "ticking bomb", and they did not know how much time was left if he did not have the transplant.

From seven million potential donors the figure was narrowed to two. The UK donor was slightly more positive than one found in America.

Alex's parents said there had been some signs of rejection, but the prognosis was good in the long-term