A FATHER who had been denied a lifesaving kidney transplant because the Home Office would not let his cousin into the country has successfully had the operation with a different donor.

Roland Blell, 45, of Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne, had been left needing dialysis for nine hours a day - which can cost about £30,000 a year - because the UK's Border Force said there wasn't enough evidence that his cousin Danny Bilal would return to Lebanon after the transplant.

The dad-of-one is originally from Lebanon but has British citizenship and said he is frustrated, having been on the NHS waiting list for a kidney for three years.

His cousin Danny, from Lebanon, was a match, but the Home Office had denied his application for a tourist visa, and Eastbourne MP Caroline Ansell had this week taken up the case with government officials.

Now she has revealed that Mr Blell has had a change of luck.

She said: "I’m absolutely delighted that Mr Blell found a donor and underwent kidney transplant surgery on Monday night.

"It’s early days but I’ve been told by his wife that doctors are pleased with how well the procedure went.

"Mr Blell has been on the transplant list for three years so this turn of events was wonderful news. I wish him and his family all the best."

It is understood to have been an anonymous donor, and Mrs Ansell believes that she was near to having successfully resolved the visa problem.

Mr Blell was born with polycystic kidney disease which has worsened as he got older.

Being on dialysis for nine hours a day meant that he had to give up his job working in insurance.

He said last week: "My cousin and I grew up together and he offered me one of his kidneys after he saw how my health had deteriorated.

"My cousin is my only hope. At the moment I am really frustrated and helpless."

Doctors had supported an application to bring Danny to the UK on a tourist visa so the operation could go ahead.

His consultant Dr Neil Iggo at the Sussex Kidney Unit in Brighton wrote to the Home Office supporting Mr Bilal's application for a visa.

A Home Office spokeswoman previously said: "All cases are carefully considered on their individual merits, in line with the UK immigration rules and based on evidence provided by the applicant."