LUKE Gooch was given 18 months to live when doctors diagnosed his rare, incurable disease.

Two years on and the brave Risca six-year-old has now endured a bone marrow transplant in a desperate bid to prolong his life.

His parents are keeping a vigil by their son's hospital bed, hoping Luke's body will not reject the marrow.

Luke has adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD ) - a disease featured in the 1993 film Lorenzo's Oil. He has been in isolation at Bristol Children's Hospital since the transplant on April 30.

Luke's immune system is so low that even a cold could kill him.

Although the transplant won't cure him, it will hopefully stop Luke's condition deteriorating too quickly.

Mum Janice said that, despite all he's been through, "He's a great kid and hasn't got a care in the world".

She said: "It's a miracle to see him the way he is. Every day is a bonus.

"Until he was four, he was running around and getting into trouble like a normal little boy, but when he got a bug he would go off his food and drink, quickly become dehydrated, and become semi-conscious.

"He would have to be rushed into hospital. After about six months of this, a doctor mentioned ALD and then we were told he only had 18 months. We were absolutely devastated."

A brain scan last month showed Luke's condition worsening so he was given the transplant.

Mrs Gooch said: "He's had a lot of problems since the transplant but he's doing all right. He did start to reject the bone marrow last week and if that happens he would have to go through it all again.

"He's not allowed to leave the room and I've only been out of the hospital twice in two months.

"His immune system is practically down to nothing. He's got the herpes virus and, while a common cold sore would be no trouble to most people, it could kill him if it's not kept under control."

She said Luke's bravery kept her strong.