HOSPITAL bosses have apologised after a woman awaiting a hysterectomy was told the operation had been cancelled -- just as she was going into theatre.

Pauline Bray, 32, was due to undergo surgery at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, on Tuesday after enduring pain for five years since she was sterilised.

The delay has meant Pauline, of Southworth Street, Blackburn, and her partner Steven McNeil, 32, have had to postpone plans to marry on October 29.

She said as she was due to go into theatre she was told the anaesthetist had 'run out of time' and the operation was cancelled.

The mother-of-five was taken into hospital in August with abdominal pains. In September it was decided a hysterectomy to remove her womb and cervix was the best option.

She said: "I am in pain and it has got worse as time has gone on.

"I cannot cope with this. I was really chuffed when they told me I could have the operation, which would let me be pain free.

"Now they have done this to me, which has annoyed and upset me.

"They had got me prepped for the operation then said they could not do it because the anaesthetist had run out of time.

"I don't understand why they would not have another one on standby."

A spokesman for the hospital apologised for the cancellation which was due to an earlier operation over running until the end of the anaesthetist's shift. The operation has been rescheduled for October 16.

Pauline said: "I'm not confident that this operation will go ahead and I cannot risk getting married if I have not had it done.

"I was also looking forward to getting a full-time job after the hysterectomy but this has knocked me back with that too."

A spokesman for the hospital said: "We are very sorry that Mrs Bray's operation was cancelled at such short notice.

"Her consultant has contacted her to explain the reasons why her operation had to be cancelled.

"He has provided her with a revised date to enable her operation to take place within the next couple of weeks."