A former sailor who once completely locked up his back doing the limbo, says he has nothing but praise for ‘fantastic’ medics who have helped improve his cancer prognosis from three months to between three and five years.

Tony Greenslade, originally from Taunton in Somerset and now 76, was diagnosed with prostate and lung cancer three years ago.

Initially doctors told him he would have between three and six months to live, but after a series of appointments at Stevenage’s Lister Hospital, drug treatments and operations, Tony has been given a new lease of life.

He said: “It’s been first class all the way.

“Whenever I ask a question you get a straight answer.

“I’ve been in and out of the Lister lots and lots of times over the years and I’ve always been satisfied.

“You hear people putting the NHS down and you see negative things about it in the press, but I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about it.

“Most hospitals have had cuts which makes things difficult, but they can only see people as fast as they can.

“The NHS is also under a lot more pressure because people are living longer nowadays,”

Tony has had his fair share of health problems throughout his life.

He served in the Royal Navy, during which time in 1961, he managed to lock up his back while demonstrating the limbo at a party.

He was in the Navy for three years, but planned to be in for nine, until a mysterious illness injured the nerves in his back and he was forced to spend five months in hospital.

Tony says this period shattered his nerves and he was forced to seek alternative career, eventually settling on becoming a lorry driver.

He moved from London to Stevenage more than 43 years ago and has served as a heavy goods driver for 46, only retiring just before he was 70.

He has a wife and two children and still enjoys dancing as a hobby whenever he gets the chance.

He has been in and out of Lister more than 20 times. He said: “The cancer has been a big body blow but my conclusion was ‘there’s nothing you can do about it, you’ve got to get on and enjoy life’.”

“I was given three months to live three years ago and I’m still here, I could go on until I’m 80 all thanks to the staff that have looked after me. I’m very grateful for that.”