A LEIGH man's battle with cancer is helping others beat the killer condition.

Tom Aspinall, 51, a contracts manager from Eastwood Grove, was diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system last March.

Mr Aspinall has now fought back to fitness after undergoing two operations and three gruelling weeks of radiotherapy over Christmas.

Friends and family took Mr Aspinall's cause to their heart and decided to raise money. Their efforts have now raised £5,000 to be split between Manchester's Christie Hospital and the Manchester and Bolton hospices.

"I feel smashing now, but I have a lot to thank the people of Leigh for," said Mr Aspinall.

"I have lived in Leigh for 30 years and a lot of money that I have raised has come from people in Leigh.

"It is a tremendous amount of money to raise and I would like to say thanks very much to everyone, especially Leigh's Spinners Arms pub and Peake Fitness Gym."

Work colleagues at Westhoughton-based building company Durose and Gourlay Ltd organised a sponsored triathlon, consisting of a five-mile bike trek, a half-mile swim and a 24-mile trek over local moors.

Mr Aspinall cast a watchful eye over proceedings as team manager.

He added: "Some of the lads come to see me in hospital and told me about the plans and I would like to thank them all very much."