CANCER battler Bradley Lowery’s mum has spoken of the family's heartache as he prepares for surgery on the anniversary of a procedure he first underwent two years ago.

The five-year-old is due to undergo another operation to remove a central line, which is used to give him medicine through a plastic tube to his chest, and replace it with a port.

Bradley, of Blackhall Colliery, East Durham, was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 19-months-old and arrested the disease following gruelling treatment.

His parents Gemma and Carl were devastated to be told last year that it had returned and were informed before Christmas it had spread.

Since then he has taken part in pioneering medical trials to extend his life.

Today, his mum posted a message on the Bradley Lowery’s Fight Against Neuroblastoma page.

She said: “Two years ago my little hero was going down to theatre to get his central lines out so he could continue a normal childhood.

“At this point we never thought he would need another line, we were thinking positive our nightmare was over and the future was looking good.

“Two years on he is going back down to theatre to get his line removed and a port put in but for a very different reason.

“This time it is so we can make as many memories as possible without being restricted in what he can do.”

She added: “This is heartbreaking for us and something that we never thought we would have to deal with."

She said the family were grateful they had made memories and asked people to "please be thankful for what you have got and never be jealous of what you haven't".