A Downswood mum has returned from the World Transplant Games with two bronze medals, 21 years after undergoing a life-changing operation.

Nicky Clifford graced the podium after coming third in the table tennis and 3km walking race, in a contest which saw competitors from more than 50 countries go head-to-head in Argentina.

But equally important to the 48-year-old was the fact that by taking part she inspired five people to sign up to the NHS Organ Donation Register that she credits with saving her own life.

She is also donating £1,000 to the Heart of Kent Hospice, earned during a fundraising evening to help get her to the tournament.

Mrs Clifford spent several years battling renal failure, which meant she had to be put on continuous dialysis.

But two and a half years after her health began to deteriorate, she received a kidney transplant, which allowed her to lead a normal life. All she knows about her donor is that he was a 35-year-old man, who died in a motorbike accident.

On her achievement she said: “It was my first time travelling by myself so I was a bit wobbly before I got to the games.

“I do a lot of power walking so I’d been working hard to get a medal in that but the table tennis was unexpected so I was really pleased. It was wonderful to stand on the podium. It was just like you see on the TV. I’m keeping the medals in my handbag at the moment so I can show people. They’re very heavy.

“What was really amazing is knowing that other people have now gone on the register though.”

Mrs Clifford finished the 3k walking race in just under 24 minutes – a minute and 42 seconds behind winner Claudia Almeira from Argentina. In the table tennis contest she came second to Hungarian Irma Tóth and Sirirat Kongsuwan from Thailand.

The 105-strong team from Great Britain and Northern Ireland topped the medal table, with 246 overall.

The mum-of-two was chosen to represent team GB after she struck gold last year at the national heat.