Teenage heart patient Matthew Bigden has amazed doctors by fulfilling an ambition to become an Oxford Mail paper boy.

The 14-year-old, of Poplar Close, Garsington, has undergone a series of life-saving operations since he was born with his heart on the wrong side of his body.

At first he was given 12 hours to live. Later, doctors said he would never be able to run or ride a bike. But the determined teenager proved everyone wrong and has just become a paper boy for his local newsagent, News Plus.

He now cycles round 29 homes delivering the Mail six nights a week.

Matthew and the Mail go back a long way. We have covered his remarkable story from the start and Matthew, who wants to become a sports journalist, will be joining us for work experience next year.

The Wheatley Park School pupil said: "I am a big fan of the Oxford Mail and my paper round gives me the chance to read the sports pages as I go round. "I am really enjoying it. If I can prove the doctors wrong in this, I can prove them wrong in other things."

Matthew was born with his heart on the wrong side of his body and with the left ventricle - the heart's main pump - missing.

He has undergone a series of open heart operations. In the most recent, in 1995, surgeons at London's Brompton Hospital spent seven hours strengthening his right ventricle. Since then, Matthew has amazed doctors with the speed of his recovery and he recently started PE lessons for the first time. He still goes for check-ups at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford every few months.

Mum Diane, 36, said: "I am extremely proud of him. Matthew is a very confident and determined person and he is not going to let his heart stop him from doing what other kids do."

Mail editor Chris Cowley said: "It is fantastic that Matthew has made such a remarkable recovery. He is a very brave lad and we wish him every success."

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