Alan Stokes, 19, from Lostock Hall, was given a month to live after being diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare bone tumour.

Doctors at the Royal Preston Hospital said the cancer was inoperable. But his family refused to give up hope.

Alan was referred to the Christie Hospital in Manchester and later underwent an operation at University College Hospital in London.

After months of treatment, Alan is now recovering. He still needs to have regular check-ups but his family are hopeful he will make a complete recovery. Alan is now studying at Manchester University and is looking forward to a future he thought he would never have.

His family were so grateful to staff at Christie's they have been raising money for the hospital.

Alan's dad Barry cycled from Preston to Blackpool and back via Lytham and raised almost £5,000 for the Young Oncology Unit where teenage cancer patients are treated.

Barry said: "It was heartbreaking when we were told that Alan had cancer, but the news was made even more devastating when doctors initially said the rare chondrosarcoma was inoperable.

"Now we take every day as it comes. To all intents and purposes he is just a normal teenage lad again which is wonderful."