A MOTHER who was devastated to be diagnosed with bowel cancer while pregnant with her first child is hoping to spend Christmas at home with her family.

It had been teacher Chris Conqueror and partner Amie Lea's dream for five years to have a baby, having undergone IVF treatment.

Amie Lea, 31, was hit with her diagnosis seven months into her pregnancy with daughter Edith.

With her daughter delivered by a Caesarian in June, seven weeks early, Amie began treatment for her cancer.

After chemotherapy at the Lilac Centre was ineffective, Amie has now been transferred to the Christie in Manchester for chemo and radiotherapy treatment until December 22.

Following this, Amie will undergo a scan to see if the tumour has been reduced so it can be operated on.

In a show of solidarity Chris is raising funds for Bowel Cancer UK by ditching the razor for the 'Decembeard' fundraiser, which encourages men to raise awareness and money to support vital research and lifesaving work to stop bowel cancer.

"She had a slow bleed while pregnant and went into the delivery suite at Whiston to be checked out and that's when they discovered it," said Chris, from Haydock.

"We were in hospital until our daughter was born. Edith was an IVF child. We'd gone through all that stress over that first and we were looking forward to spending time as a family.

"It has certainly been a rollercoaster throughout the summer. Without Edith, Amie potentially wouldn't have been diagnosed, so she's a miracle baby for us."

"We've both said that having the baby has made it a lot easier for us because she's given us something to focus on and not to think about the cancer.

"Edith's doing brilliantly, she's where she should be with her weight."

And the couple are hoping to be able to spend Christmas together as a family.

"Quite a few of my family are doing the beard as well," added Chris, 35.

"Come Christmas there's probably going to be about 10 of us with big beard which will be quite funny, though I'm not looking forward to the itchiness."

To sponsor Chris, see: justgiving.com/fundraising/Christopher-Conqueror1