GWENT Paralympic gold-medallist Gareth Duke is being kept in hospital after tests showed there may be complications with his new kidney.

Disabled swimmer Gareth was due to leave hospital yesterday but doctors now want to monitor his progress for the rest of the week after blood tests showed signs of a possible infection.

Gareth, 19, had more tests yesterday as doctors tried to discover if the kidney donated by his father was showing signs of being rejected or if he had picked up an infection. His dosage of anti-rejection drugs is being increased.

Gareth's father, Trevor Myers, 52, last night told the Argus the family were remaining upbeat despite the setback.

"It is a bit worrying I suppose but we are not getting too concerned until they know what is wrong.

"It's a little setback but Gareth is fine in himself."

In August the Argus exclusively revealed Gareth needed an urgent transplant because his kidneys are progressively failing due to the Alport's syndrome he suffers due to his dwarfism. Mr Myers had months of tests to see if he was a suitable donor.

Mr Myers was released from hospital at the end of last week following the operation last Monday at the University of Wales Hospital, Heath, Cardiff.

He is making a good recovery at the family home on Maendy Way, Pontnewydd. Gareth became a local hero when he claimed gold at the Athens Paralympics in 2004. He has been told by doctors it will take him up to 12 months to recover from the operation, which means he will miss this year's World Championships in South Africa.

When popular Gareth's illness came to light back in August, dozens of regulars at the family's local pub, the Yew Tree Inn in Pontnewydd, offered to undergo compatibility tests to help.