Tony Cunningham was worried about a number of moles on his body so he went to a skin cancer awareness event at Kettering General Hospital last year.

His fears were realised when consultant dermatologist Dr Olivia Stevenson found one of the moles was cancerous.

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Mr Cunningham, 56, from Weldon, who was one of 200 people to turn up at the awareness day, said: "I went along because of a blemish on my face, but while I was there I had my back checked for moles, too.

"It was lucky that I did because Olivia Stevenson found several moles she was unhappy with. All three were cut off and one of them turned out to be melanoma.

"As far as I am concerned she has saved my life because you need to catch these things early on.

"I lost my brother to cancer. I was 16 and he was 26 when he died. I was told that it wasn't hereditary, but Dr Olivia said it definitely was because it is a change in the DNA."

Mr Cunningham said: "I am really glad I attended the awareness day and I would urge anyone who has any concerns to do so too."

This year's free session will be next Saturday in the skin care centre at the Jubilee Wing of the hospital from 10am until 2pm.

At last year's event the department saw 210 people – several of whom were promptly treated for different types of skin cancer.