Nigel Hogben of Summersdale had four cardiac arrests in 24 hours and wasn't expected to live past Easter.

He had a rare heart condition and was on a life-support machine for two-and-a-half weeks.

But after a successful heart transplant last September, Mr Hogben can now wed partner Ann Chapman.

"It felt like there was a light at the end of the tunnel but the bulb had been taken away," said Mr Hogben.

"I never thought this day would come. It was a case of a drowning man clutching a straw – I had no choice but to go through with the transplant.

"I am on medication for the rest of my life, but it's a small price to pay. The whole thing has given me a different perspective on life.
"This marriage is a new beginning for us."

On February 20 last year, Mr Hogben felt slightly unwell and was being driven to Lavant Road Surgery by a friend for a doctor's appointment.
Suddenly he went into cardiac arrest and was resuscitated by doctors outside in the car park.

Just minutes later he had a second attack in the ambulance on the way to St Richard's Hospital.

After being stabilised, he was sent to Southampton Hospital but had his third cardiac arrest. His final attack occurred the next morning at the same hospital.

In May, 2007 Mr Hogben and Mrs Chapman got engaged but shortly afterwards his health deteriorated and it became apparent a transplant was needed.

Mrs Chapman said they would have married in the hospital if 'that's what it would have taken'.

Because of his condition, Mr Hogben was moved from number 1,102 on the transplant list for all of Europe to the front of the queue.

He was told by doctors at Southampton Hospital it was unlikely he would live to see Christmas and would be lucky to see Easter this year.

In August, 2007 he was sent to Papworth Hospital when a heart was found for him.

His heart had been damaged on both sides and stents were used to widen his arteries. Mrs Chapman waited at a sanctuary called Heartbeat House while the operation took place.

"I was in a state of shock, I didn't know what was happening," said Mrs Chapman.

"His sons and my sons were there to support him. Life's too short. This truly has been a gift of life."

The heart for the transplant must be transferred within four hours or the operation cannot go ahead. If doctors think there is something even slightly wrong with a heart then the operation is aborted.

"I knew someone who was put under for the operation 11 times before the right heart was found for him," said Mr Hogben.

"My heart was transferred from somewhere in the UK to Harefield by helicopter."

The wedding ceremony on Saturday will take place at St Paul's Church. St Richard's chaplain James Cooper, a heart failure specialist, and another man who had his transplant at the same time as Mr Hogben will be guests at the ceremony.