The 61-year-old was given the news by doctors after she went to hospital with a shoulder complaint.

The step-mother of two, from Caton, near Lancaster, was playing golf in October when she broke her clavical bone.

She went to doctors with "tremendous pain" in her shoulder and further tests revealed she had lung cancer.

She was officially diagnosed last month.

Doctors believe she has had the disease for at least two years. She had been feeling tired but thought it was due to her heavy workload.

Mrs Winterbottom has spoken about her diagnosis and the show of support she has received from the public.

She said: "There have been so many cards and tributes I have almost been overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and care of people.

"It has come as a shock but I feel I have got to do the best I can to thank those people who are rooting for me.

"Chemotherapy is not pleasant at all and it affects people in different ways.

"But with all this help and support, I'm going to stick it out and give it the best opportunity of going into remission.

"The other day I got a picture from a four-year-old girl saying she hoped I would get better and you cannot grasp how touching that is.

"The care and consideration the public has given me has been the most humbling experience."

Between 1961 and 1965, she worked for Ormskirk Urban District Council as an accounting machine operator, before becoming a police officer, a position she occupied in various ranks for 30 years.

Mrs Winterbottom was officially sworn in as the High Sheriff on April 17, continuing a tradition stretching back to the 10th century.

>> The High Sheriff of Lancashire - some interesting facts

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