ELVIS Presley was famed for his love of burgers - and plenty of them. But for Gwent's very own Elvis Aaron Presley, there won't be a sign of a cheeseburger on his plate.

Because the Blaenavon man who has changed his name by deed poll to that of the late King of rock and roll has just won a major battle with bowel cancer.

Elvis, from Ty Fry, endured a major operation and numerous visits to Abergavenny's Nevill Hall Hospital to beat bowel cancer.

And now he says: "I have to look after my health, so no cheese burgers!" In addition, he suffers from epilepsy, is partially deaf, and has lost his sight in one eye.

You won't find our Elvis complaining. After he was dischargedfrom hospital, he promptly went about raising cash for an air ambulance to show his appreciation for the doctors and nurses.

Elvis, 40, might not have the King's voice, but he more than makes up for it with showmanship.

So much so, he's been signed up by a number of charities eager to use his celebrity status and official name to raise cash.

"I'm doing stuff for BIBIC, (The British Institute for Brain Injured Children) at the moment - collections in pubs during karaoke nights," he said. For the last couple of years he's been getting folks all shook up, raising hundreds of pounds for charity.

Formerly known as John Arthur Edwards, Elvis is fulfilling a life-long ambition.

"I aways loved Elvis - I grew up with his music, and I suppose wanted to be him," he said.

The King added: "It's not that I didn't value the name my parents gave me - I do. But I felt the time had come to go for it.

"I'm keeping the King alive - except he's lost a bit of weight and sings like a fog-horn!

"Last spring I raised £600 by holding a rock'n'roll night at Nantyglo Rugby Club," added Elvis.

You can see Elvis on October 17 in Tredegar Park, when he takes part in the British Heart Foundation charity walk at 10.30am.