A DOUBLE lung and heart transplant survivor is set to celebrate three years since his operation by competing in the British Transplant Games next week.

Kendal man Alan Leacock, 44, will carry the hopes of his home town when he returns to the event for a second year to battle it out at darts and snooker.

Alan, who won snooker competitions before his operation, said he hoped to raise awareness of the benefits of organ donation - and has his sights set on bringing home a medal.

MORE TOP STORIES:

“I’m delighted to be going to the games again,” he said.

“As well as competing in my events, I’m looking forward to celebrating the life changing gift of organ donation for transplant patients and their families.

“It is also a important opportunity to honour the donors and their families through whom these games were made possible.”

The former lorry driver, who lives with genetic disease cystic fibrosis will represent Wythenshawe Hospital at the games in Bolton from August 7 to 10.

He underwent his operation at the hospital in February, 2011.

Although most people with cystic fibrosis do not live past their forties the former Queen Katherine School pupil has continued to survive the illness, which destroys the lungs and digestive system, after having a transplant.

“The British Transplant Games aims to demonstrate the benefits of transplant-ation, encouraging patients to regain fitness and increasing awareness of the need for more people to sign on the NHS Organ Donation Register,” said a spokesman for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

For more information visit www.britishtransplant-games