A DETERMINED dentist hopes to take to the road to help the fight against cancer.

Ian Wintrip, 54, was diagnosed with prostate cancer five-months-ago.

It is one of the most frequent cancers in men, and is on the increase.

Dr Wintrip discovered he was one of the lucky ones, and will have surgery at the end of the month which should provide a total cure.

He plans to take part in the Auckland 10k Run on October 8, to raise money to help other sufferers and fund research into the disease.

Dr Wintrip, who has been a dentist for 30 years and has practices in Bishop Auckland and Shildon, said: "I went through the emotional mill a bit when I was diagnosed, but now I'm looking forward to working another 20 years in my practice.

"The support from the staff at South Cleveland Hospital, where I was treated, was tremendous.

"I don't want patients fretting that I'm packing up. I should be back at work with vengeance in December."

The dentist's only concern is that he has not been able to train enough for the run, because he fell of a horse at the weekend and suffered concussion.

Despite this, he hopes to raise £1,000 through sponsorship if he completes the run, and has already secured a £200 contribution from the HSBC Bank.

Donations should be sent to South Cleveland Prostate Cancer Research Fund, South Cleveland Hospital, Martin Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS4 3BW.