A FATHER stricken by cancer hopes to meet the son he has not seen for 16 years before he dies.

Frank Conn, 56, a former head chef, says doctors have told him he has only months to live, after being diagnosed with lung and liver cancer.

His son, David, was seven and living in Washington, Wearside, the last time he saw him. He has had no contact since the boy went to live with his mother, Barbara Harbison, when their relationship broke up.

Mr Conn said: "I have not seen him for a long time, but I do not want to go to my grave knowing that I have not met him one more time.

"There are so many things that I want to say to him to make up for the lost years.

"I am having to face the fact that I am going to die very soon, and I want to put my life in order.

"David was a big part of my life, and I lost him. I would give anything to see him again."

Mr Conn, who was born in Newcastle but moved to Kelso, Scotland, keeps in touch with his other son, Paul, 30, from another relationship.

Mr Conn said: "I want to be reconciled with all my family before I die - and that includes David."

He said David and Barbara's last known address was in Raby Road, Oxclose, Washington.