TWO years after his mum died after a battle with cancer, a Pontypool student has chosen to study for a medical degree inspired by doctors who helped her brave fight.

Lewis Pheasant, 18, from St Albans High School, passed his A-levels with flying colours yesterday, securing his place at Bristol University.

The teenager was just 14 when mum Alison was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Chemotherapy and an operation followed with long spells in hospital.

Mr Pheasant said: “Watching the doctors inspired me to want to do medicine.”

His mother fought the disease for 18 months and sadly died two years ago – just two weeks before his GCSEs.

If anything Mr Pheasant, who did not miss any lessons, was determined to try harder.

“The exams took my mind off it,” he said.

“It didn’t have an impact on my schooling. It made me more focused in the long term.”

While he studied hard, opening the envelope yesterday yielded better results than he expected with three A*s in maths, chemistry and biology.

He said: “I am over the moon. I genuinely didn’t think I would do anywhere near as well.”

Lewis, who lives with dad Mike, 49, and sister Ellis, 15, in Pontypool, is soon to be moving to Bristol.

“I hope my mum would be proud of what I’ve achieved,” he added.