A TEENAGER is starting 2007 with a new lease of life, thanks to a precious gift from his sister.

Julian Pickering, 18, a pupil at St Edmund’s School, Canterbury, developed leukaemia last year and urgently needed a bone marrow transplant.

But with a rhesus positive blood group, the chances looked slim.

Amazingly, doctors found his 14-year-old sister Melissa – who also goes to St Edmund’s – was a perfect match.

Now Julian is thriving, to the delight of his family, who live at Sheldwich, near Faversham.

His mother Julie said: "Melissa definitely saved his life and she’ll never let him forget it. He has bought her a cup which says 'best sister in the world'.

"They were close already but this has brought them closer. It’s fantastic."

* SEE THE KENTISH GAZETTE (JANUARY 4) FOR THE FULL STORY.