When Tony Baker was diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer, he was told he had six months to live.

Three years later, he is running his own property business in Malvern and feeling more positive than ever.

"I feel marvellous," he said. "I just can't believe how well I seem to be."

Five years ago, Tony and his wife Melanie moved to Malvern from Yorkshire, to be closer to Tony's parents.

Before the move, Tony noticed a lump in his neck and was told not to worry by doctors. But his concerns remained and he visited the doctor on his arrival in Malvern Link.

"He said he didn't like the look of it and got me into hospital within days," explained Tony.

A biopsy confirmed the lump was cancerous and would need to be removed.

"I remember the day he told me he had cancer," said Melanie. "I didn't even know he'd been to the doctors and when he told me it didn't really sink in. I said 'oh, would you like a cup of tea?'"

After the lump was removed, Tony underwent a gruelling seven weeks of radiotherapy. For two years, it seemed he had beaten the disease, until a persistent earache sent him back to the doctor.

"He wasn't happy because he said throat cancer often manifested itself in earache," he said.

Tony's worst fears were confirmed and, days later, he was told his cancer had returned with a vengeance.

"Doctors said nothing could be done and gave me six months to live," he said. "I was devastated. We'd only just got married and had a new home in Malvern.

"Melanie was superb though, she told me to be positive and not accept the diagnosis."

Not willing to give up, Tony contacted a specialist surgeon in London.

"We didn't think he'd take me on, but after the first consultation he said yes," explained Tony.

A seven-hour-operation was carried out to remove parts of his throat and tongue and replace them with muscle from his chest. The surgery was followed by several minor operations to improve Tony's speech, which was affected by the operation.

Though he must wait another two years to be given the all-clear, he says he is looking to the future.

"I had to give up my former job with a marketing agency because I was finding it difficult," he explained. "So I decided to start my own business, Link-Up Helena Homes, named after my mum, who passed away during it all."

Tony said the business was going well and people in Malvern had been extremely supportive.

"I was worried about how clients would react to my speech difficulties but everyone has been very friendly," he said.

Melanie also gave up her previous job and has started her own cleaning firm.

"It was all very traumatic," she said. "I thought I might lose him for a while, but we stayed positive and never accepted there was nothing that could be done.

"Everyone in Malvern has been great. I was worried when we moved from Yorkshire but people have been just as friendly, if not more so. It's now a very positive time for us."

by Lindsay Holder