A GRANDFATHER who was diagnosed with testicular cancer less than 18 months ago will tonight help start a fun run to raise money for research into male cancers.

Sales manager Alan Hodgson, from Spennymoor, County Durham, will help get the first North-East cancer run under way at Exhibition Park, in Newcastle.

The event, which starts at 7pm, has been organised by Cancer Research UK to raise thousands of pounds for research into the disease.

The 46-year-old, who is married with three grown daughters and a two-year-old grandson, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in November 2003.

He said: "I had been feeling under the weather for months, but thought it was related to a bout of food poisoning.

"Then I started experiencing problems with my kidneys, so the GP sent me for a scan.

"I thought I had kidney stones. I can't explain the shock I felt when I was told it was testicular cancer that had spread."

After surgery and three months of chemotherapy to shrink a secondary tumour on his kidney, Mr Hodgson is now back at work and enjoying life.

He said: "I am delighted to be able to take part in Cancer Research UK's men's Cancer Run because research has made a huge difference to my life.

"It has helped keep me and my family together."

He will be joined in launching the event by James Cook, from Hexham, Northumberland, who was diagnosed with cancer as a 23-year-old student.