A NORTH-EAST double lung transplant patient is to marry the medical receptionist who visited him throughout his treatment.

Cystic fibrosis sufferer Anthony Peart, of Hartlepool, met Lynn Sharp at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle, while he was waiting for his lifesaving operation.

Their friendship blossomed over time, and Mr Peart was delighted when a year later Lynn agreed to marry him during a break at the Lake District.

Mr Peart, 27, of Loyalty Road, said: "I felt like the luckiest man alive.

"I had my transplant and then the woman I love said she would marry me."

After meeting at the hospital in March 2006, the pair instantly became good friends, keeping in touch via the telephone and internet.

But it was not until Mr Peart was recovering from his transplant that he finally plucked up the courage to ask her out.

He said: "It was literally love at first sight for me. But being so ill I couldn't pursue anything. Whenever I was in hospital she would come to visit me while she was working.

"As soon as I had my transplant and found out I was going to be released, I asked her if she would go out with me, and she said yes."

The happy couple are yet to name a date for their wedding.

Ms Sharp, who is a medical receptionist in Newcastle, said: "Anthony never thought he would have the opportunity to live a normal life.

"He had no plans for the future because he didn't think he was going to have one.

"So I was obviously delighted when he asked me to marry him. What girl wouldn't be?"

Though Mr Peart still has monthly hospital check-ups, he is now in good health and recently completed a tandem parachute jump, raising £675 so far for the Dogs Trust.