A TODDLER treated for liver cancer in the past 12 months is celebrating the New Year after having a Hickman line removed.

Joshua Westwell, of Lee Road, Bacup, is now looking forward to a bright 2002 after having the line, which was put in to feed chemotherapy into his body, removed.

The tot was two on September 5 when the operation to remove a tumour from his liver was performed at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, in Pendlebury.

His mum, Karen Skinner, said: "He had the line removed and they said after the operation he could go home as long as he was eating and drinking.

"After five minutes he was running around the ward!

"He has now been given a check-up date for February."

Joshua was diagnosed after his 18 month routine check and was sent to Pendlebury, where he received a course of chemotherapy to shrink the cancer, before undergoing a six-and-a-half hour operation to remove it.

His parents, Karen and Paul Westwell, also have a daughter Chloe, 11 months, and are planning to get married in Gretna Green.