TONY Barrow said seeing the courage and determination of Steve Prescott has prepared him for his own battle against cancer.

The 43-year-old former Oldham and Swinton rugby league player was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease after a tumour was found in his brain.

But he said he knows just one way of fighting the disease and that is through a positive mental attitude.

The father of two will start treatment at Clatterbridge within the next few weeks. He credits Steve Prescott, who he lined up with for a number of his gruelling feats of endurance for helping to instil a strength of unswerving positivity.

"I am an upbeat person and my main aim is to stay positive. I love St Helens and the support from everybody in the town and the rugby league community has been amazing. Being involved with the Steve Prescott Foundation has been a plus. It almost readies you being round such a positive person. I'm from a very positive family who have been tremendous and with the help of people in rugby league and my experience with Steve this is a community that doesn't allow me to take a backward step.

"When you are in that world and you see how far someone can go it prepares you for this. I think ok I know what's coming. And that's what keeps me strong."

Tony from Thatto Heath said along with treatment at Clatterbridge they are exploring other avenues.

He said: "Hopefully someone out there will say he's fit and strong and could offer any other forms of treatment. At Clatterbridge I will be receiving a mixture of chemo and radiotherapy. The prognosis is what it is but I will look at other options all over the world whether its the US or this country."

Tony who is a senior childcare worker is the son of Tony Barrow senior who played for Saints in the 60s. With a charity fundraising game held at Thatto Heath this Saturday between Tony's former team mates and a Thatto Heath masters side, he said he has been shocked by the level of support he has received. "It's been very touching that all these people are willing to give up their time. i have played rugby all my life but the level of support is amazing from people across the town.

"I want to thank staff at Whiston and Walton hospitals who have been amazing. They were phenomenal and to all the well wishers who have been in touch. I also want to thank Terry Moran, Martin Ford and Ste Cunningham and my family for their support. I just want people to know how positive I am."