YOUNG cancer sufferer Joshua Skinner, pictured, is making an amazing fightback against the disease.

Joshua, 12, of Newport, was diagnosed with tumours on his liver and lungs one year ago. The condition is so rare for a child that Joshua is the only youngster in the UK to have tumours in both organs.

He spent much of last year at Llandough Hospital, near Penarth, undergoing gruelling chemotherapy and taking a wide variety of medication.

And now specialist doctors say one of his tumours has shrunk - and the others have stopped growing.

"This is wonderful news. The whole family are so chuffed," said mum Karen, 38.

The Bettws High School pupil and his family, of Pinewood Close, Malpas, were given the good news after a check-up at Birmingham Children's Hospital last week.

"It's happy news for all the family. Joshua is taking it all in his stride," she added.

On his 11th birthday doctors diagnosed a number of tumours in both Joshua's lungs, and more in his liver.

But more than 12 months on, doctors said the main growth in his liver has shrunk and the others are lying dormant and showing no signs of growing.

Karen and Joshua's dad, 40-year-old Paul, hope that in five years their son will be given a liver transplant.

"The doctors told us the tumours weren't getting any bigger and that Joshua was living with cancer in the same way some people live without a finger. He just carries on," Karen said.

Doctors have ruled out a transplant at the moment because it might make Joshua more ill if his body rejects the organ or he gets an infection.

But meanwhile, Joshua is making amazing progress. His hair has grown back and the Liverpool fan is also playing football for his local team.

Karen said: "He scored his first goal the other day.

"His granddad went to watch him play and he rang to tell me. He was in tears.

"Everyone on the team was jumping up and down and cheering for Joshua."

Initially, Joshua was reluctant to join the team.

"His hair hadn't grown back and he was scared his hat would fall off, but all the other boys are brilliant with him," his mum said.

Joshua's plight touched the hearts of scores of Gwent people, who organised a host of fundraising events to give the youngster special memories.