A GWENT councillor is facing the biggest battle of his life after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Now Blaenau Gwent councillor Graham Hughes, 69, from Beaufort Hill wants people to get behind a charity which has already provided him with vital help and support.

Cllr Hughes was given the news he has lymphoma on the brain by doctors at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on October 14.

In December last year the Labour councillor was then told he was clear of the disease by doctors after they removed a tumour the size of a cherry from his brain.

However, earlier this month Cllr Hughes, who has been a Blaenau Gwent councillor for six years, discovered a fatty lump on his left arm.

He immediately called his doctor who advised him to go to the Cardiff hospital.

As he entered the ward Cllr Hughes suffered a seizure and collapsed. A CAT-scan later revealed he had developed the disease.

Doctors have prescribed Cllr Hughes with course of steroids for three weeks and he will then undergo 17 sessions of radiotherapy starting in mid November.

Father-of-two Cllr Hughes, who is married to Margaret, said: “The doctors have told me they can give me another three years of quality life after the treatment.

“I am determined for that to happen and I am going to fight this illness as good as I can.

“The long term out look is not good and I have been told the side effects of this illness could result in early dementia.”

The cause of the illness is unknown, but it is most common in people between the ages of 45 and 70.

Cllr Hughes is now urging people to help support the Tredegar-based Hospice of the Valleys charity, for which he is a fundraiser.

He added: “The Hospice of the Valleys is a fantastic charity that really helped me get through my first illness and I would love people to give them some help with donations.

“I would also like to thank my family for their support and all the people who have left me messages to ask about my health.”

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Hospice of the Valleys charity should call 01495 717277.