A very young transplant recipient was among the special guests as Stormont Junior Minister Jonathan Bell welcomed hundreds of athletes taking part in the Westfield Health British Transplant Games 2011 to Belfast.

DUP MLA, Jonathan Bell met six-year-old kidney transplant recipient Ben Bingham at Belfast City Hall before the opening ceremony parade yesterday, (both pictured).

He war told that the games, which run from 4 to 7 August are organised each year by Transplant Sport UK and were last staged in Belfast in 1998.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Bell said: "It's great to have the Transplant Games returning to Belfast and I extend a warm welcome to the athletes and their families.

"It is remarkable to see what a difference transplant surgery has made to those taking part in the games and the enthusiasm of the athletes is truly inspiring."

As well as young Ben - who was a big hit with the members of the media during his several TV interviews - was among 500 athletes will take part in the games, which are held each year to celebrate the gift of life an organ donation brings to transplant recipients and to highlight the need for more donors to come forward.

However, while the number of people registering as organ donors in Northern Ireland has been increasing steadily, more are needed.

Commenting on the need for organ transplants, Junior Minister Bell urged more people to register as donors and said: "Transplant surgery has enabled people of all ages to go on to lead full and active lives.

"I would encourage anyone who has not yet done so to consider registering as an organ donor, to give someone in desperate need of help the chance of a new life."

There are 10,000 people in need of an organ transplant in the UK, just under 300 of whom live in Northern Ireland, while, across the UK, an average of three people per day die while waiting for suitable donor organs.

See: www.transplantsport.org.uk

(BMcC/GK)