A TRAGIC North Dorset dad who was told he was suffering from stress and sent home from hospital four times died just weeks later from stomach cancer.

Bricklayer Paul Boddon, 40, from Gillingham, pleaded with doctors to relieve his chronic stomach pains.

But the father-of-four was discharged with painkillers after his condition was diagnosed as anxiety brought on by his marriage break-up.

It was only after Mr Boddon's desperate dad Peter, 69, begged the hospital to carry out a CT scan that the truth emerged.

He died from tumours in his liver and pancreas, caused by lymphatic cancer.

Mr Boddon's family is demanding an investigation. His mother Eve said: "I am appalled at the attitude of consultants who did not realise how sick Paul was."

Mr Boddon first realised something was wrong in March but was told by his GP he was merely constipated.

Over the next nine weeks he visited Yeovil Hospital in Somerset three times and Sherborne's Yeatman Hospital once.

Mr Boddon was first admitted to Yeovil Hospital on April 13 after his mother Eve found him collapsed. He was discharged three days later without diagnosis.

Mr Boddon was in such pain he admitted himself on April 19. He collapsed at home on May 2 and was rushed to Yeatman Hospital. Blood tests were taken and he was sent on to Yeovil two days later.

Yeovil Hospital sent Mr Boddon home on May 13, without diagnosis, and on May 18 he admitted himself to Shaftesbury Hospital. He was transferred back to Yeovil.

Mr Boddon remained in an orthopaedic ward, twice refusing to leave, until he was eventually diagnosed on June 5. He died on July 11.

Lizz Rob, of Yeovil Hospital confirmed an investigation was under way.

Bill Bos of Yeatman Hospital, said Mr Boddon was referred by his GP and would have been dealt with by their out-of-hours service, for which they are not responsible.