Emotional relatives fought back tears of joy last night when a Bermudian couple jetted to a happy homecoming after going through life-saving kidney transplants.

Robert Dill Jr. and his girlfriend Pauleter Stevens were greeted at the airport by around 30 family members after a month of intensive treatment in a top Boston hospital.

The pair, who met during dialysis treatment in Bermuda, received their new kidneys from the same unknown donor.

And both Robert and Pauleter, who arrived on the American Airlines flight from New York, were mobbed by relatives the moment they stepped out of the arrivals hall.

They told The Royal Gazette of the prayers they had told to bring them home safe and sound.

Twenty-seven-year-old Robert, a houseman at the Stonington Beach Hotel, revealed that the family reunion was a big surprise.

He said: "It feels just great to be back. Neither of us had any clue about this at all and it's brilliant to see everyone again.

"It's taken a lot of praying to get to this stage and we're relieved to be home again. Now we've both got to take things one step at a time, one day at a time.'' Pauleter was handed balloons, presents and welcome posters as she was wheeled into view by her father Walter, who brought her home from the US.

She said: "The first thing I plan to do is get some rest. I also want to do some walking to build my strength back up.

"But right now it just feels really good to be home again after all we've been through.'' Pauleter and Robert had both been waiting four years for a kidney donor when they finally got the life-saving call to fly to the US on December 16.

Robert's stepmother Helene said: "It was actually almost four years to the day since he took ill.

"Robert went into hospital on December 17, 1993 and ever since he had been waiting for the kidney.

"In the meantime, he also had to have open-heart surgery to replace a valve in his heart but now that he and Pauleter are back, we believe the prognosis from the doctor is good.'' Robert, of Cavendish Close, Devonshire, has been given the all-clear by specialists after five weeks of intensive treatment in Boston.

His sister Dawn Furbert said: "I've spoken to him just about every other day since he went away.

"I've been looking forward to spending some time with him so much and I actually spoke to him most recently early this morning.

"He just asked if I would be there to pick him up. Neither of them knew we were planning a big welcome home celebration.'' Doctors who operated on Pauleter, of Sun Valley, Warwick, also said the future looked bright for her.

Father Walter said: "We're very relieved by what the doctors have told us. So far it's excellent news and we are a really happy family right now.'' Pauleter's mother Pauletta added: "We can't think too far ahead right now.

We're just so grateful to have her back.''