VITAL chemotherapy treatment has been delayed again for six-year-old cancer battler Madison Allan.

The Lower Darwen schoolgirl has been told levels of haemoglobin in her blood are too low for doctors to proceed with a new session of the drug.

Her next treatment is now scheduled to take place a week later than planned on Monday at Manchester Children’s Hospital, overseen by doctors in Germany.

Madison, of Lord’s Crescent, Lower Darwen, also began the third course of chemotherapy on the tumour wrapped around her internal organs a week later than hoped at the end of February, after undergoing a blood transfusion to boost her haemoglobin count.

So far, the cancer treatment, which is being paid for by public donations to the Madison Allan Appeal, has shrunk the tumour by two centimetres all the way around.

Madison’s grandmother Alison Foster, of Lower Darwen, said: “Madison’s platelets are low, and she is susceptible to picking up infections. At the moment her mum’s ill with flu, and another bout of chemotherapy would make Madison’s immunity drop very low.

“So it’s been delayed for a week to be on the safe side.

“But in herself, Madison’s still going to school and still eating, she’s just getting tired because of the treatment.”

Scans will be carried out in late April to see what effect treatment is having on the cancer.

Since June 2010, £150,000 has been raised for phases one, two and three of the treatment, not available in the UK, but double that may be needed to beat the aggressive neuroblastoma tumour she has suffered from since being 10 months old.

A fundraising event for the Madison Allan Appeal takes place on Sunday at Riverside Garden Centre in Branch Road, Lower Darwen between 10am and 5pm.

Steve Lowe from Radio Lancashire will be hosting an open day at the venue from 11am-2pm and bosses at the centre are donating 15 prizes for a raffle as well as five per cent of all sales on the day.

There will be a children’s entertainer and Madison Allan Appeal wristbands on sale.

It is hoped Madison will be well enough to attend the event.