UK's first double hand transplant patient delights in writing letter to thank surgeon

Chris King describes getting his life back since surgery last year, as surgeon says he has progressed faster than anticipated

The first person in the UK to undergo a double hand transplant has said writing a letter to thank his surgeon has been one the highlights of his first nine months since the operation - that, and being able to applaud his favourite rugby league team.

Chris King, 57, described how he had got his life back since the surgery last July, when he became the second person to have a hand transplant at the UK's specialist centre for the operation at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and the first to have both hands replaced.