A mum has defied doctors by battling cancer after being told she had six months to live more than a year ago.

Justine Hargreaves, 37, was given the devastating news in July last year, after doctors found her cervical cancer had spread.

Despite this, she is still fighting on and has praised the support of family and friends for helping her through her ordeal.

She said: "Unfortunately, I have found out since last year that the cancer has now spread to my liver.

"I am due to have another bout of chemotheraphy, but I am not well enough at the moment and am just taking each day as it comes.

"For the past year, I have been bed-ridden a lot of the time and just been really poorly.

"At the moment, my immune system is not doing too badly, but if I have another dose of chemotherapy, it will put me back again.

"I just have to take it easy and take it as it comes.

"I was told five weeks ago that without the chemotherapy to help me, I would have another six months or less.

"The thing to do is to have it, but I have to wait until I am well enough.

"I wouldn't have got through this without my friends and family, they have all been brilliant.

"Even complete strangers have given me their support."

Justine was originally told her home would be repossessed while she was battling cervical cancer in April 2008 and trying to rebuild her life after the suicide of her partner Stuart Davis.

Mr Davis, who was a self-employed cabinet-maker and a special constable in Manchester, had cancelled all the family’s direct debit payments at Christmas 2005, including all their life insurance policies and loan repayments.

He kept the fact hidden from her and it was only after his death in November 2006 when the debts came to light, when it was too late to sort out the debt.

But, after the Observer publicised her plight, she was offered help from the social housing landlord, Hyndburn Homes.

And, thankfully, she was given a new home in Chester Street, Accrington, for her and her children Jade, Sam, Nathaniel and twins Coral and Crystal.

Following the move, life looked to be getting better as news regarding her cancer seemed positive.

But recently she was told that the cancer had spread to her bones and glands.

Justine has previously said that she hoped a family member would be able to take her children in when she died.