Rugby referee Nick Buttle has launched a campaign to find a life-saving donor this Christmas.

The 56-year-old, from Bearsted, was diagnosed with advanced plasma cell leukaemia in May and now faces a race against time to find a matching bone marrow donor.

Attempts through The Anthony Nolan Trust have failed and Mr Buttle's brother, Francis, flew over from Australia for tests but did not match.

Now Nick, together with his partner, Deborah Evans, the Maidstone Rugby Football Association and The Anthony Nolan Trust, are appealing for people to attend a special testing session in Maidstone.

They want people to sign up to The Anthony Nolan Trust's donation register, and hope that someone will turn out to be a match for Nick.

The event will take place at Maidstone Rugby Club, in Willow Way, Maidstone, from 5pm t o 9pm on Thursday, December 10.

Deborah, a former tourism manager for Maidstone council, said: "You don't often get a chance to make such a profound difference to someone's life like joining The Anthony Nolan Trust’s register. Even if you aren't a match for Nick, you might be the only matching donor for someone else who needs your help - so please come along on Thursday evening just to register.”

For more information visit The Anthony Nolan Trust or call 0303 3030303.