Surgeons have used their expertise to save the knee of a young rugby player.

William Marment, who is also a keen martial arts competitor, injured his knee playing rugby in Venice, where he was on tour with his school Tiffin Boys in 2009.

He tore both cartilages and ruptured a ligament in a rough tackle and was told by doctors at St Peter’s Hospital, in Chertsey, that he would not play again for at least a year.

He was forced to wait for surgery because he was still growing, but surgeon Paul Trikha saw how much sport meant to William and gave him a leg brace so he could continue to train.

The teenager’s mum Caroline said: “William was devastated when he heard he couldn’t play rugby for another year because essentially that would have put an end to his school rugby playing days.

“The brace made a huge difference and he was able to get back to training.”

He was doing well until April last year, when he damaged his knee again, and Mr Trikha decided to operate.

Mrs Marment said since then her son has been back in training and is looking forward to playing rugby again next season.