A brave mum has made her ill son's birthday wish come true with the ultimate present - one of her kidneys.

Heather Richardson has been desperate to help save little Callum's life since he was struck down by a rare disease which attacks the organ.

After months of tests the 40-year-old was finally told she could be a donor for her oldest son, on the day he turned 12.

It means the hours of dialysis treatment he endures will soon be a thing of the past and he will be able to go back to playing football with his pals.

Mrs Richardson, from Wishaw in Lanarkshire, said: "It's the best birthday present I could have given him. A bike or a football doesn't even come close.

"Telling him was the best feeling in the world. I'm buzzing now and so is Callum and the rest of the family.

"Everyone is just over the moon. We just want to get the operation over and done with now."

Sports-mad Callum has debilitating nephrotic syndrome, which robs the body of protein and ultimately leads to kidney failure.

He and his mum are now counting down the days to the transplant, which takes place on August 8.

Callum said: "When my mum told me she was going to be giving me a kidney it was the best birthday present ever. It was even better than getting a Nintendo Wii.

"I will be able to play football again and eat my favourite things.

"I am very, very thankful - I have the best mum in the world."