A YOUNG father given weeks to live in January has finally lost his brave battle against cancer.

Tributes have been flooding in for Grahame Oddie who continually defied the odds during his fight against the killer disease.

The 36-year-old died in the East Lancashire Hospice on Tuesday.

Grahame, who worked as a financial adviser at AP Financial Services, Preston New Road, Blackburn, contracted skin cancer three years ago.

The condition spread to other parts of his body. In January his wife Heather was told that he only had weeks to live.

Heather, of The Pastures, Blackburn, said: "We have had six wonderful months together which we never thought we would have. He was a marvellous husband and father."

She paid tribute to the care given to Grahame, particularly by staff at the hospice.

Grahame, a keen footballer and golfer, was a governor at Lammack Primary School, Blackburn. He leaves two children, Danielle, nine, and Matthew, eight.

He was also the son-in-law of Terry Barber, the fund-raising co-ordinator in Blackburn for the East Lancashire SuperScan appeal.

Mr Barber said: "Although he had marvellous treatment, he had to travel all the way to Christie's in Manchester and Preston.

"Once we get the MRI scanner in this area maybe the next step is to get a cancer unit to match the ones in Manchester and Preston.

Despite his condition Grahame took part in the last SuperScan superwalk. As a special tribute his family and friends are planning to take part in the forthcoming Motorway Superwalk '97 on August 31.

His funeral service was taking place today at St Silas' Church, Blackburn, prior to cremation at Pleasington.

The family has asked for donations to be made to the East Lancashire Hospice.

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