Devonshire man Robert Dill Jnr and his girlfriend Pauleter Stevens have just received new kidneys after a four year wait.

The couple had to make a frantic dash to Boston for the emergency operations after a donor's kidneys became available.

But doctors have now given the pair the thumbs-up, claiming both operations to be succesful.

Speaking exclusively to The Royal Gazette from his hospital bed last night Mr.

Dill, 27, a houseman at the Stonington Beach Hotel, said he and Ms Stevens would now be able to enjoy Christmas for the first time in years.

"I'm now feeling pretty good,'' he explained.

"We were contacted by the hospital in the early hours of the morning and had to fly straight out here as soon as we possibly could. But everything's gone well for both of us. We're now looking forward to Christmas this year.

"We used to have to have dialysis treatment three times a week but we won't have to anymore -- the operations mean we are going to have a lot more freedom.'' The couple first got together when they were receiving dialysis treatment on the Island, although they had known each other since childhood.

They plan to spend Christmas in Boston with their families, who flew out to the States yesterday to be with them. And they will not be able to come home for at least another five weeks while they undergo checks to make sure the operations have been a success.

"My kidneys first started failing in December 1994,'' Mr. Dill said.

"I then had to have an operation on my heart before I could go on the kidney donor waiting list but it's still been more than three years since I've been waiting for a donor.

"I wasn't nervous before the operation but I'm just glad that it's all over.

I don't know anything about the donor.

"We're both still in a bit of pain but that's to be expected for the first couple of weeks. Apart from that we're walking around and are up and about, having a laugh. The doctors also seem pleased with the way things have gone.

"We will be coming back to Bermuda next month and hopefully I can start work again in about two months time.'' Mr. Dill's father, also called Robert, said he was thrilled that the operation had finally gone ahead.

"It's a big relief,'' he said. "Robert and Pauleter are doing really well.''