BRAVE Arif Ali has given his uncle a precious, life-saving gift - more than HALF of his liver.

The 19-year-old student from Audenshaw stepped in as a donor after Rochdale father-of-two Mohammed Ashraf Chaudry, 61, was told he only had months to live, being diagnosed with non-alcohol-related cirrhosis and cancer of the liver.

Doctors at St James Hospital, Leeds, told him he was no longer suitable for an operation and nothing more could be done.

But relatives refused to give up and after searching the internet, his daughter Ayesha discovered surgeons at London's Kings College Hospital would be prepared to operate using a live donor if a suitable match could be found.

His family rushed to be tested and nephew Arif found he had the same blood type as his uncle - and volunteered.

Mr Chaudry, of Wardle, said: "The doctors basically told me to go home and count my days.

"I went into shock and my wife and family were devastated.

"But we said there must be another way and began looking for a second opinion."

After extensive testing, doctors gave Arif the green light to have the transplant and earlier this year, the two men went into separate theatres at King's College.

During a nine-hour operation, surgeons Mohamed Rela and Nigel Heaton, who carried out George Best's liver transplant, removed 60 per cent of Arif's liver and grafted it on to his uncle's.

Now, four months later, Mohamed, who used to run a dry cleaning business, is making a strong recovery.

He said: "I feel absolutely great and my health is fantastic. I have received a new lease of life and it's all thanks to Arif.

"If it wasn't for him, I would have died. He is a hero.

"The surgeons were also incredible.

"They are some of the top professionals in their field and they were so humble and helpful.

"I can't thank them enough."

Daughter Ayesha added: "Arif has given my dad the biggest gift of all.

"He doesn't like talking about it, but we are so grateful. He was so brave."

But modest Arif brushed off the compliments.

He said: "I was a match, so I had the opportunity to help and I stepped forward - it's as simple as that."

His liver should grow back to its normal size in a few months.