A cancer patient who was given just months to live last April is determined to fight on so he can celebrate his tenth wedding anniversary.

Peter Breakingbury, from Wareham, also hopes to renew his vows with wife Nicola on the big day next year.

The couple made the decision to go public to help Cancer Research UK raise awareness of its new Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign.

Nicola said: “I know we were unlikely to celebrate another anniversary if Peter had not gone to the doctor when he did and if he had not responded to the treatment he would not be here with me today.”

Supported by a host of celebrities, the Stand Up To Cancer campaign raised £8 million for research when it was first backed in the UK in 2012.

Peter, 57, who shaved his head before his hair fell out due to his treatment, recently faced an ice bucket challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The businessman, whose wife is a staff nurse at Poole Hospital, thought he was dealing with just minor ailments when he visited his doctor complaining of shoulder and side pains in spring 2013. But the diagnosis was bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver. Although going to the doctor promptly helped take him out of immediate danger, Peter was told his condition was terminal when first diagnosed.

Initially Peter benefitted well from chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but the cancer returned earlier this year.

Now a brand new treatment is helping Peter fight the disease for the second time – and apart from some complications he is doing well.

Nicola said: “We are so grateful for the treatment which has saved Peter’s life and I was very proud of him for doing the ice bucket challenge.

“It is not easy when you are in the middle of chemotherapy treatment.”

The couple hope Peter’s courage will inspire Dorset residents to support Stand Up To Cancer, which culminates with a live TV fundraiser on October 17.