A popular Tenby man has had a new lease of life after undergoing lifesaving surgery.

Fifty-two-year-old Mike Tebbutt has made a miraculous recovery after having a liver transplant earlier this year.

Mike, of Church Park, had been suffering from liver problems for the last six years, but his condition had deteriorated so much that it robbed him of his ability to lead a normal life.

Suffering from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis or NASH, a 'silent' liver disease which resembles alcoholic liver disease, but occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol, Mike's illness was so serious it led to advanced liver sclerosis and eventually end stage liver failure. He also had encepalopathy, a degenerative brain disorder which resulted in him losing his mental capacity and speech.

After being on the liver transplant waiting list for just under 12 months, Mike, a paramedic supervisor with the Welsh Ambulance Service, finally got the much-awaited telephone call that a match had been found on the evening of March 3, the day before his wife Ruth's 50th birthday.

Six weeks before Mike, who has been a member of HM Coastguard in Tenby for the last 33 years, had received a similar call, but on that occasion he was turned back.

The second time however, Mike's transplant went ahead and the eight-hour operation was performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, the centre of excellence in the UK for liver disease.

Mike stunned doctors and nurses with his recovery and was allowed home just 10 days later.

"The medical team were amazed with how well I progressed," Mike told the Observer. "I was expecting to be in hospital for weeks."

Mike continued: "I really cannot thank my wife Ruth, daughters Rhiannon and Bethan, and brother Nick enough for all their support. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here today. I was so dreadfully ill and they looked after me so well.

"But of course, the biggest thank you goes to the family of the transplant donor.

"I've had a tough ride, but am now back in harness."

Added Mike: "Many thanks also go to my colleagues in the ambulance service for their care and support during my many trips to Withybush Hospital and Queen Elizabeth's in Birmingham, also coastguard personnel for all their help."

Three months after the operation, Mike returned to both work and being on call with the coastguard rescue team.

This month, he and his family organised a fund-raising event at Tenby Sailing Club.

Over £1,000 was raised for the British Liver Trust which finances research into liver disease.

The event included a barbecue, auction and raffle.

"Local businesses and individuals were so supportive," said Mike. "I really was amazed at their generosity and thank them all. Many thanks also to Louise for taking charge of the auction."

Mike is now looking forward to spending quality time with his family, as well as going fishing and boating.

"It's great to have family life restored," he smiled.

Mike is the third Tenby man to have received a liver transplant. Roger Crockford who is one of the trio is actually about to donate towards either the Liver Trust or the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.