AN ABERGAVENNY father who had a kidney transplant almost 35 years ago had to put a charity song on hold after being diagnosed with lymphoma, a form of cancer.

Paul Silcox, 58, was given a lifesaving kidney from a 12-year-old boy in 1977 who had been knocked off his bike by a car.

But last summer Mr Silcox was given the devastating news he had lymphoma.

"I was so desperately ill. I had pneumonia and lost two and a half stone," he said.

The father-of-three said the immune suppressors he had being taking for his transplant had changed the dynamics in his defence system.

He said this medication was stopped allowing his own immune system to attack the tumours, making them smaller.

Mr Silcox said his breathing is not quite back to normal but has put on weight and said the cancer unit is confident his own immune system will destroy the tumours.

Mr Silcox, who is a member of Brecon Male Choir, had to put his plans to release a song in aid of Kidney Research UK on hold when he had lung surgery last year.

The song, called Gift of Life, is about his gratitude to donors and their families and was written with the help of his wife Claire and fellow choir member Chris Langworthy.

The song will be part of an album released by the choir on March 8 - World Kidney Day.

The money raised for the charity will help fund further research into kidney disease.