A PENSIONER landed with a huge medical bill after being taken ill with cancer while on holiday has died in hospital.

Phoebe Morley, 76, passed away last night in Blackburn Royal Infirmary -- three weeks after returning from Florida. Her family were at her bedside.

The death came just days after the American hospital which treated Pheobe sent her a medical bill for almost £120,000 -- and threatened legal action if it was not paid within 30 days.

The cancer of the kidney and bowel was discovered while doctors in Florida were carrying out an operation to remove her gall bladder.

Phoebe, of Ewood, had been stranded in Florida after her travel insurance company refused to pay for treatment.

She had failed to declare she had undergone treatment for gallstones in Blackburn before setting off on holiday. But she was airlifted home after a donation from Prince Aziz of Brunei.

The family had been expecting a huge medical bill but were devastated when they discovered the true extent of the costs and the threat of legal action.

The expenses include surgery, after care, drugs, and fees for the care from doctors and nurses Phoebe received during her six-week stay in hospital.

If the family are not able to raise the £114,502 within 30 days, interest will be charged at 18 per cent a year and the American hospital will pursue Phoebe's husband Peter through the courts. Solicitors acting for the family are now making urgent inquiries with the hospital .

They want to discover what forms the couple signed before her treatment, amid concern they may have left the family liable for the costs.

Phoebe's daughter Susan Wilson, of Pendle Drive, Blackburn, said yesterday: "I don't know how we are going to pay the money It has just been one thing after another."

The family were told this week that Phoebe may have contracted pneumonia. Her condition was so serious that doctors were unable to start a chemotherapy course to fight the cancer.

Susan has been told by solicitors they will need legal aid to fight the case but without a signature from Phoebe they will not qualify for help.

A spokesman for the Patient Financial Services at the Florida Hospital, in Orlando, said yesterday: "We are very sad to hear that Mrs Morley has not made a full recovery. If she does pass away, we would naturally pursue the bill through her husband and through the courts."

The spokesman refused to disclose whether Mr Morley had signed a form accepting liability for treatment costs during Phoebe's time at the Florida Hospital. Before his wife passed away, Peter said: "We can't pay this bill. I have been told that normally, because it is in Phoebe's name, not both names, the debt would die with her."

Oliver McCann, the family's solicitor, from Roebucks Blackburn said: "We really can't advise Mr Morley until we have received further information from the hospital in Florida.