A UFC fighter has thanked staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital for helping his son after a "health scare".

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall said on Instagram that he does not usually use social media for his personal life but wanted to show his gratitude.

The 31-year-old said staff helped to care for his son after a "health scare" which was "potentially life-threatening".

Aspinall said: "It's not often I use social media for my personal life, but in this case I'd like to use my platform for my gratitude.

"Unfortunately my son had a health scare, and was in hospital for some time, where at some points it became very scary and potentially life-threatening."

On Friday, the Salford-born MMA fighter said that the medical team at the Royal Bolton helped get him back to full health "all hours around the clock".

He also thanked his parents, family and friends for their support during the hospital stay.

He said: "Also a huge thank you to our amazing parents and family and friends who have been there as a support system and also help provide some kind of normality and routine for our other children (and dogs) in this tough time for all of us."

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Aspinall said that his son has now recovered and is out of hospital and returned home healthy.

He said: "Today (Friday), my son finally walked out of hospital and returned home healthy!

"It's been one of the toughest times we've had to go through, but speaking from my perspective, it has taught me that, if you ain't got family and health, you've got nothing.

"Again, thanks so much to everybody who has offered messages of support and love.

"Grateful to move on to the next chapter."