A YOUNG Tae Kwon Do star from Castle has been given a fighting chance of a better future thanks to a vital lung transplant.

Oliver Rothwell, 16, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in infancy, suffered severe damage to his lungs after contracting pneumonia following a chest operation three years ago.

Oliver's mum Julie, 48, of Riverside Park, said: "We saw his health worsen quite quickly.

"He needed oxygen 24 hours a day, he had to be fed through a tube and he had physiotherapy twice daily to keep his chest clear.

"He had no quality of life. He was just existing."

But following a seven-month wait a donor was found and school receptionist Julie said the change in her son is astounding.

"At first it was touch and go but then Oliver started fighting back and now he's absolutely marvellous," she said.

"He was skin and bone before and now he's put on three stone."

And Oliver, who is now studying art and design at Mid-Cheshire College, is enjoying his new lease of life.

He said: "Just after my operation I remember smiling and thinking this is cool to breathe on my own. Before, my lung function was only 21 per cent and now I'm at 110 per cent."

Oliver, who credits his speedy recovery to mental discipline, added: "It's about mind over matter and that's what got me through. I've always been very active so it's great to be able to enjoy activities like trampolining and climbing trees."

The teenager claimed the Cystic Fibrosis Junior Sport Over 11s Award earlier this year and is celebrating a return to form at Northwich Tae Kwon Do Club.

He said: "I started back about a month ago.

"I was worried I would forget how to do it but it all came back to me straightaway.

"I won't be competing this year because I'm having bone injections to make me stronger but I'm enjoying training again."

Instructor Ruth Chare said: "It's great to have Oliver back.

"It was a supreme achievement to gain his black belt while he was so ill and his focus on Tae Kwon Do has really helped him through."