THIS is the terminally ill man who is desperate to trace his long-lost brother for a last chance of life.

Neil Phillips, 39, is undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with leukaemia two weeks ago, but, as reported in Tuesday's Daily Echo, needs a bone marrow transplant if he is to survive the year.

Mr Phillips' best hope of a match is his brother Christopher, 53, but the two siblings lost touch years ago.

Helen Jones, Mr Phillips' partner of four years, is now racing against time to track down Christopher, who is believed to have lived in Parkstone until moving to Greece with his family at Christmas.

Mr Phillips, who is being treated at Manchester Royal Infirmary, lost touch with his brother after their mother died when he was just two.

Miss Jones, from Salford, Manchester, said Christopher had served in Northern Ireland and Germany as a member of the Elite Parachute Regiment.

She said: "We're desperate to find him. Neil definitely needs this bone marrow transplant. He's got to have two lots of treatment, but they want us to find his brother so they can see if he's a match.

"It's going to be a little while - it might be over the next three months - but they need to know if he is a match now."

Do you know of Christopher Phillips' whereabouts, or that of any of his family? If so call Emma Joseph at the Daily Echo on 01202 675413.