A MAN whose life was saved by a kidney transplant has an unusual way of backing a health campaign.

He has decorated his front window with details about organ donations.

The life of Barry Firth, 56, of West Street, Lindley, was transformed when he received his transplant 20 years ago.

Kidney failure meant former food science researcher Barry had to spend almost four years on strict diets and dialysis - a tiring and inconvenient process.

Stepfather Mr Firth removed his curtains while he redecorated his house.

But instead of covering the front window with old newspaper, Barry covered the glass with statistics and facts about the crucial organ donor service.

Barry hopes his window display will encourage people to become organ donors.

Speaking about his own transplant, he said: "20 years on and it's still doing the job. I need no more dialysis, no more dieting or fluid restrictions.

"If I hadn't had the transplant I would have been on dialysis. It's a lousy life.

"It was definitely a life-saving operation.

"It's given me a normal life and the chance to enjoy events. It was a wonderful selfless gift.

"I just hope people look at the display and think: 'that's a good idea'.

"I notice people have walked past it and come back to look at it. I even saw someone get a notebook out.

"At the moment you're more likely to need a kidney than become a donor.

"You could help several people. There's a vast variety of organs that can be used."

Mr Firth added: "I hope someone else can have the success that I've had."

Mr Firth is a member of St James' Kidney Patients' Association - a Golcar-based charity which offers support to patients at St James Hospital in Leeds.

The organisation also encourages people to register as organ donors.

Charity secretary Paul Taylor said: "It's quite a quirky idea. He lives on the main road so it's quite a good piece of publicity.

"Around 6,000 people are waiting for transplants. There's a shortage of donors.

"A lot of people are being buried and cremated when those organs can be used. It's a crying shame that not enough people are signed up."

* To become an organ donor call 0845 60 60 400 or visit www.uktransplant.org.uk on the internet.