A CANON who planned his funeral after being diagnosed with cancer is rejoicing after battling back to health.

Honorary Canon Simon Bessant, 51, from Pleckgate, Blackburn, was told he had the disease in 2005 after finding blood in his urine.

And he said the kidney cancer focused his mind on what he enjoyed in his life and his work and led him to draw up plans for after his death.

Fortunately, he beat the disease after an operation at Royal Blackburn Hospital but he said his example should encourage people not to go into denial about dying.

He has accepted a post as the vicar of Ecclesall, Sheffield, and will leave Blackburn next Tuesday.

Canon Bessant, who works across East Lancashire for Blackburn Diocese, said: "I was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2005. After the diagnosis, I had an operation in July that year to remove the cancer.

"When I was diagnosed I e-mailed everyone I knew telling them about my fight and I received 140 cards back, some from churches in Lancashire.

"I was very fortunate. But it was a difficult time.

"Someone asked me if I wanted to go on a cruise before the operation. It made me think about what I really enjoyed in my life and work.

"I arranged my own funeral at St James Church in Blackburn, I chose all the hymns, and had planned the running order, it was a natural thing for me to do.

"Once I had finished I gave it to the vicar and told him to file it away.

"You have to face up to death, I sorted out the funeral, then I dealt with my life.

"I think people are in denial about death and a lot of people don't want to talk about it.

"Every anniversary I send a card to my GP and to my surgeon at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

"When you face death I think it enables you to see what is important in life and you value life more."