A BRAVE little boy who fought for his life to beat cancer is asking women to run the Race for Life.

Lucas Thorpe was just 11 months old when a tumour was removed from his bladder, but the cancer had already spread to his urethra and prostate.

But after receiving treatment in America Lucas, now three, is free from cancer and attends pre-school at St George's Central Primary School in Tyldesley.

"I'm so grateful for the research that helped Lucas and now I want to help others by supporting Cancer Research UK's work and taking part in Race for Life," said his mum Jodie Rothwell.

"He is an amazing little boy and it was a joy to see him start pre-school when we didn't know if he would even survive the night at one point."

Lucas, from Hindsford in Atherton, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer in a baby and initially treated with chemotherapy before he was sent to Jacksonville in December 2011 for a 10-week course of proton therapy.

But Lucas developed pneumonia and septicaemia just two days after arriving.

He was left fighting for his life in intensive care and the septicaemia caused Lucas to lose half of his right foot, the tips of his toes and the tips of his fingers.

After returning to the UK, Lucas underwent further chemotherapy treatment and he still requires regular check-ups but he has learnt to adapt to his missing fingertips.

Jodie, who is now studying to become a nurse, and Lucas will be guests of honour at the 5k Race for Life event in Leigh on Sunday, June 8.