THE family of a girl whose rare cancer disappeared have spoken of their relief after doctors' fears that she had relapsed proved unfounded.

Consultants at Leeds General Infirmary said a scan had revealed a spot on Fraja Simpson's heart during her three-monthly checks to see if she remains clear of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.

Fraja, of RAF Leeming, near Bedale, North Yorkshire, has been undergoing the tests since March, when doctors said they had been stunned to find her cancerous cells - which had been too difficult to remove during an operation last year - had vanished.

Fraja's parents, Garry and Michelle, said after she underwent a second scan they faced a week of emotional turmoil, before being told the spot had been where her heart was working harder on one side of her body.

Mrs Simpson said: "This week has been one of the most hardest we have completed, we have broken our hearts agonising.

"Waiting to hear what the scan results were going to be, wondering if we had to go through everything again.

"We feel extremely lucky and it has brought home to us how many other families have had to go through this extremely devastating situation and without a positive outcome."

Some 80 per cent of children with neuroblastoma relapse and as the NHS does not offer relapse treatments, Fraja's family are attempting to raise funds for her to be treated abroad, should the need arise.

To boost the appeal, an autumn ball and three-course meal, featuring the Aaron Bayley Band, songs by Lauren Shaw and compered by magician Steve Keys, will be held at the Lancastrian Suite, Dunston, on Saturday, October 4, from 7pm.

For tickets, which cost £29.50, call 07507-086-032 or email info@fightingnb.co.uk