A BOY was transported to the British Transplant Games in style - in a stretch limo.

Ten-year-old Gavin Greig, of Golcar, is competing in five events 14 months after a heart swap operation.

He and his parents, Ann and Dave, were driven to the Alton Towers Hotel in Staffordshire in the seven-seater limousine, provided by the Lawrence Funeral Service, Halifax.

The Greig family will also be picked up by the firm for the return journey.

Mrs Greig said: "Gavin has been very excited and has been really looking forward to the games.

"It's lovely to be driven down and back."

Gavin had his transplant operation at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, and is competing in the games as part of the hospital's 12-strong team.

All the team members are being transported to the games in Stoke by a fleet of limousines.

The games started yesterday and finish on Thursday.

Gavin, a pupil of Golcar Junior, Infant and Nursery School, plays cricket for Golcar under 11s. He will compete in swimming, badminton, table tennis, throwing and sprinting events.

But his entry was in jeopardy last week, when he picked up a bug and had to be taken into the Freeman for observation for three days.

"He was worried he might not be able to take part but everything is fine and the doctors said he could carry on as normal," said Mrs Greig.