A policeman is preparing to give away one of his kidneys – to a man he met while on holiday.

Churchgoer Dave Hopwood offered to be a donor in an extraordinary gesture of friendship.

It came after he saw the health problems of Sean Pybus, after they met on a campsite in the Dordogne while on a family holiday.

Sean, 46, from Yeovil, was born with one kidney, which is now failing.

Now Dave, 49, has stepped up and is prepared to give away one of his next year, after tests showed he was a good match.

He and wife Andrea, who have three children and are members of Canterbury Baptist Church, met Sean and his family on the campsite 10 years ago.

He said: “We hit it off straight away on the first night and over the years have all become very close friends.

“Sean, his wife Kirsty and children have holidayed with us most summers and visited each other’s homes.”

“He has given me hope for the future that I will not have to spend my life on dialysis” - Sean Pybus

Dave, a Detective Constable, used to live in Herne Bay and worked from Canterbury police station for 12 years.

Andrea runs a business called Curtain Call in St Dunstan’s.

Dave said: “Over the years Sean’s kidney function has declined and there are times when he is quite poorly.

“Two years ago we spoke about living donors, which was something I had never heard of.

“It turned out I had the same blood group as Sean and I immediately offered to be a donor.

“I have been tested over 18 months and found to be a match.

“At our last tests in January, Sean’s kidney function had improved a little so further tests have been put off until next year.”

Sean said: “I was humbled by Dave’s offer to help me.

“He has given me hope for the future that I will not have to spend my life on dialysis.”

Dave is in training for a charity cycle ride from his home in Birchington to Sean’s in Yeovil.

He is holidaying in the Dordogne with Sean and has been putting in some training rides in the French countryside.

He is due to set off on the 460-mile ride on Saturday, September 22, and will arrive in Yeovil on September 29.

Funds raised will be divided between Kidney Research UK and the Canterbury Baptist Church redevelopment fund.

Dave said: “It will be the ride of my life but I hope the money will help the lives of others like Sean.”