GAVIN Greig, the Golcar heart-swap boy, has returned home triumphant from the national transplant games.

Gavin, 10, came away with four medals from the games at Alton towers in Staffordshire.

He gained a silver medal in the table tennis and the 50 metres sprint, and bronze in the badminton and ball throwing.

His mother, Ann, said: "He was really thrilled to bits."

The family were driven to Staffordshire and back in a chauffeur driven limousine donated by a Halifax business.

"The ride was lovely - it was very relaxing," added Mrs Greig.

"The Alton Towers Hotel was really, really lovely. We had never gone anywhere like that before it was a really nice treat for the children."

Gavin, a pupil at Golcar Junior Infant and Nursery School, had his transplant 15 months ago at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital.

He competed at the games as part of the hospital team.

His mum added: "We had a great time. The children had a positive attitude and were so determined to succeed. It was a pleasure to watch them.

"We are so proud of what Gavin has achieved."

She also thanked Mark Dunstan, manager of the Colne Valley leisure centre, for his help in training Gavin.

* Kelly Wood, of Fartown, also took part in the games and picked up a bronze medal in the swimming.