Recipient of first full face transplant named

London, England, Friday - Despite the fact that doctors had promised that the identity of the first person to undergo a full face transplant would remain a closely guarded secret, we understand that the name of the patient, which was initially disclosed accidentally through inclusion in an NHS in-house publication, has since been disseminated through countless blogs and other Internet sites and is therefore now in the public domain. The operation is due to take place either just before, or just after, Christmas.

The patient, a Mr. A. Blair, currently lives in Westminster, London. Although he was planning to move home shortly, the news that he had been chosen for the operation convinced him to put these plans on hold. Mr. Blair has been very specific about the type of donor he would like to provide his new face. Black hair, bushy eyebrows, large nose and large ears would be ideal. Mr. Blair says he even has a particular person in mind. Although donations would usually be made posthumously, Mr. Blair is convinced this would not be necessary in this case. "The person I am thinking of is two faced anyway, so I'm sure he can spare one" said Mr. Blair.

An artists impression of the potential donor.

PA