CANCER victim Jacob Marsden has started his final six weeks course of a pioneering new treatment.

The six-year old Astley schoolboy, who was recently diagnosed with non Hodgkin's acute lymphoblastic lymphoma, will spend cycles of one day in Pendlebury Children's Hospital having the intense course of chemotherapy known as EuroLB02 and two days out.

But he is coping well and hoping to be home and able to ride the new BMX bike he has chosen and which has been sent to Father Christmas.

Dad, local police officer, Steve said: "He is doing very well and we are hoping that he won't catch any infections that will put him in hospital over Christmas.

"This course of chemo is stronger stuff and it's hitting him more than his previous ones."

The family, who have nothing but praise for the medical staff, have started fund raising for the hospital and for research into children's cancers.

Recently Jake's uncle Peter Marsden and fellow members of the FX Leisure Gym at Lowton, John Bocking, Sue Webb and Michael Bennett, rowed a dry marathon to start the ball rolling and raised £2,440.

Steve is also planning a sponsored canal canoe paddle from Leigh to Llangollen in May.

In the meantime he is appealing to people to help by becoming blood or blood marrow donors.

Anyone who wants to help raise money towards beating childhood cancer can contact Steve on 07919 670371.