THE family of a man who defeated cancer are going the 'extra mile' to say thanks for the care he received.

Ken Dearden, 52, of Earnsdale Close, Darwen, was diagnosed with bladder cancer last June and after initial checks doctors discovered it had spread further they thought.

He had to undergo a worrying nine-hour operation at Blackburn Royal Infirmary in August to try to remove the cancerous cells and he has now finally been given the all-clear.

He said: "I had an initial operation in Beardwood Hospital to see if they could cure the cancer but they said it was a bit further advanced than they first thought.

"That's why I had to have the nine-hour operation. It was very worrying for everyone but luckily they managed to remove it."

Ken's son Craig is now preparing to do the London Marathon this weekend to raise money for Cancer Research as a way of repaying the care his father received and raising awareness of the illness.

Craig, 22, who works at the family business, textile manufacturers Metex in Darwen, has to raise a minimum of £2,000 before he takes part in the race.

He has completed a marathon before but this time he wants to raise as much money as possible.

The family are holding a charity dinner at Darwen Golf Club later in the year which has already sold out and is expected to bring in more than £1,000.

A bring and buy sale and afternoon tea which was held at Craig's grandmother's house has already raised £500. Money from both of these events will go towards his minimum target.

But the fundraising does not stop there. Ken's wife Gwyneth, 42, is in training to do the Race for Life in Blackburn later in the year, also raising money for Cancer Research.

Gwyneth, a director at Metex and owner of Blackburn Pallets Ltd, is running in Sunnyhurst Wood in preparation for the event, which is her first competitive race.

Anyone wanting to donate money or sponsor Gwyneth or Craig should contact Ken on 01254 695888.