A Bradford teenager is on the road to recovery after undergoing a life-saving operation.

Christopher Williams had an operation to have a pacemaker fitted this week after a state-of-the-art monitor revealed that the youngster's heart stopped beating every night.

But the 13-year-old has made a remarkable recovery following his gruelling four-hour operation prompting doctors to send him home a day earlier than expected.

Today his mother Alison Box said: "It was a long operation but, fingers crossed, it all seems to have gone well.

"It was horrendous for me and his dad waiting for Chris to come out of surgery - it was a very long four hours."

"He had a very rough night after the operation. He was in and out of consciousness and I think he was really groggy from the anaesthetic because the operation took a bit longer than they thought.

"But he's home now and fit and well. He's still sore and in a bit of pain. It's amazing that he's able to come home so soon. The doctors are really pleased with him."

During the operation at Leeds General Infirmary Christopher, of Little Horton, Bradford, had a pacemaker implanted into the muscle at the top of his arm and extending down into his heart.

Doctors decided that the pacemaker was the best course of action after a monitor, called a reveal devise, implanted into Christopher's chest discovered that the teenager's heart rhythm was stopping for up to three seconds each night.

Teaching assistant Mrs Box, 35, said she first noticed something was wrong last year when Christopher, who had never shown any signs of ill health, suddenly started to experience dizzy spells on the football pitch and collapsed at home.

Doctors are now investigating the family's medical history after Mrs Box's 15-year-old nephew Nicholas was diagnosed with a similar condition.

Mrs Box said that the future now looked rosy for Christopher and the family have celebrated by taking the youngster on a brief shopping spree to buy a new Bradford Bulls shirt.

She said: "We've been shopping for a new Bradford Bulls top, some trainers, and a coat. It was a bit of a treat but he deserves it! He's just going to rest now and get a lot of TLC."