A PUBLICAN who won a harrowing battle with cancer is leading fund-raising efforts to help the hospital which saved him.

Norman Harris (62) had to have part of his jawbone removed and replaced with a piece of his leg bone last year after he was diagnosed with cancer of the mouth.

Mr Harris, who runs the Swan and Railway in Spring Lane, Radcliffe, with wife Mavis, readily admits it was a difficult time.

"It took a lot of courage to fight through it," he said. "Sometimes I thought about committing suicide.

"But I had plenty of support from family, friends and customers and the hospital staff were wonderful. I can't say enough for them. They saved my life."

Mr Harris was treated by a specialist team at Blackburn Royal Infirmary, the regional centre for all facial treatment for anything from car accidents to sports injuries.

Ever since he was diagnosed with the illness, Norman and his wife have been holding charity events at the pub, raising more than £1,700 for the hospital. Now, big-hearted regulars at the Avebury Taverns-owned pub will be helping to raise even more money at a special charity night on August 18.

"We are going to be presenting a cheque for £1,719 to the hospital but there will be a whole host of other activities going on to hopefully help us raise hundreds of pounds more. We are having a disco, a darts competition, raffles and even a quiz," said Mr Harris, a former licensee of the Old White Lion Hotel in Bolton Street, Bury.

Mr Harris, who has to have yet another operation, this time to insert teeth implants, said: "I thought it was vital to raise money so others can receive the same great level of care and attention that I have."

Paying tribute to his customers, he said: "They have given us both a lot of support, especially throughout these last few months. They have already helped us to raise money through sponsored events and charity nights, but they were only too willing to take part in another fund-raising event for the aftercare unit."