"DOMINO" transplant pals Denis Wright and Ernie King (pictured) will raise a glass this week to toast their special bond of life.

Nine years ago Ernie, from Warrington, was given a new donor heart and lung and his healthy heart was given in a "domino" swap to 64-year-old Denis of Dale Street, Stubbins.

Every year since they have met for an anniversary reunion to toast the donor, and doctors and nurses at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester who gave them their second chance.

Denis said: "I had a series of heart attacks and I was told that a heart transplant was my only hope.

"I hadn't seen a doctor for about 18 years before my heart problems and I'd heard all the horror stories about the NHS, but they did me proud.

"I was very lucky. It was only fifteen months from having the heart attacks that I got my new heart. "I had only been on the transplant waiting list for four or five weeks when Ernie got his heart and lung and then I got his heart -- and of course we have been friends ever since."

Denis and his friend Margaret will celebrate the ninth anniversary with Ernie and his wife Joan with a meal at the Old Mill Restaurant in Ramsbottom.

Denis, who is now retired but used to restore country houses, said: "Not being a medical man, the domino swap was all science fiction to me when it was first mentioned.

"Ernie and I are definitely not the longest survivors -- I hope our hearts last for at least another nine years.

"It is the tenth anniversary next year so we will have to organise something a bit special."

Ann Stuart, manager of Wythenshawe Hospital's New Heart-New Start Appeal, said: "Ernie and Denis are among a rapidly growing number of men and women throughout the region whose renewed zest for life clearly demonstrates the real benefits of transplantation in human terms.

"Unfortunately there are many others now on the waiting list for a transplant and our availability to give them the second chance they deserve depends entirely upon the availability of donor organs and the generosity of donor families."