A former Gurkha soldier has literally been handed a lifeline after a government U-turn allowing his sister into the country.

Kebahang Chemjong, from Canterbury, desperately needs a kidney transplant after developing renal problems in January 2007.

The illness forced Mr Chemjong's medical discharge from The Brigade of Gurkhas and has condemned him to a daily routine of dialysis.

But now there is hope for the 44-year-old after a decision to allow his sister Basanti access to the country to donate her kidney.

He said: "I thought I had been left to die. I did not expect this sort of treatment having fought for Britain for 21 years."

The Government argued Basanti would be a drain on NHS resources - but joint head of live donor operations at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital Dr Michelle Webb explained the transplant would be six times cheaper for the NHS than to continue offering dialysis.

She said: "I thought it was ludicrous. I thought being a Gurkha soldier made you special, but I was obviously wrong."

Basanti, 39, will start her final checks at the Kent and Canterbury hospital in the next few weeks. The three-hour transplant will be undertaken at Guys Hospital in London later in the year.

Kebehang added: "I am so relieved. I just don't understand why they refused the visa for my sister. She was only trying to save my life."

Local armed services charity Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help took up Kebehang's fight along with Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier.