Oliver Watson (Age 48 at operation), Riverford Farm Foods.

'I started having pain and restricted movement at my left hip 6 or 7yrs before operation. The condition got steadily worse until I was unable to do any sporting activity and even taking a walk was something I avoided. This made my working life as an organic farmer very difficult. In addition to the physical discomfort I was becoming increasingly grumpy and depressed about my future. This was undoubtedly impacting on my family relations as no one wants to live with a long-suffering grump.

I had concerns about having a hip replacement at my age - would it last? I studied the wear rate for metal hip resurfacings and clearly these were quite different from older types of hip replacement and offered a feasible option for younger patients like myself.

Stupidly I let my hip deteriorate to the point where I almost didn't care about the risks - anything would be better than going on as I was. I say stupidly because in hindsight I should have had the operation done some years earlier. I also needed to get over the psychological barrier associated with the fact that hip replacements are what old people have - had I reached that stage in my life?

Mr Irvine eventually resurfaced my hip in November 2007 and my concerns are now a faint memory. The recovery was unbelievably quick, a matter of weeks, and I had to constantly remind myself to take it easy. Since then I've been skiing, windsurfing and playing tennis in a way I haven't for 10 years. Occasionally I have a dull ache in my hip but nothing to bother me.

I would unreservedly recommend this operation to anyone in similar circumstances and although it's not for me to judge, I think I might even be a bit less grumpy!'

Doug Collis (Age 46 at operation)

'I'm an incredibly busy person.

We farm just over 500 acres. We keep and lamb 440 ewes. The ground that is left is used to make hay etc mainly for horse feed. When I say we, I must include my wife of 30 years Wendy. Between us we also run an agricultural contracting business and Woolacombe Holiday Cottages a medium sized holiday cottage-letting agency. I have two daughters and I'm about to become a grandfather. I am fit and healthy and always was. I represented my school and college at rugby in the 1st XV. I won my cross-country running colours and was athletics champion. At 6'2" and of stocky build I was very strong, handling thousands of bales in a year.

My hips became arthritic during the 1990's and they gradually came to affect every aspect of my life. I leaned on Wendy literally and metaphorically. Eventually I was in constant pain - even walking became a nightmare and to sit astride the quad bike was impossible.

I found myself on a waiting list for total hip replacements. The more I studied the procedure and it's implications the more I realised I would have to totally rethink my lifestyle. At that time I had a change of GP and after some research he found Mr Irvine in South Devon. I went on to have both my hips resurfaced in 2003.

I have enjoyed a full and active life since and don't even think about my hips. They don't influence anything I do and I just feel natural. In fact the only time I'm reminded is when I go through airport security.'