HE'S a little fighter just like his mum. Daniel Sidaway is just five days old and he has already brought so much joy and happiness to his doting parents Olivia and Peter.

Olivia found out she was pregnant with her second child just two weeks after being diagnosed with an invasive form of breast cancer.

After getting over the initial shock, the couple, of Greensleeves Avenue in Broadstone, saw numerous consultants and specialists and it was decided Olivia could fight the cancer and have her baby.

In March, when Olivia was around four months pregnant, she underwent a gruelling five-and-a-half hour mastectomy operation.

Despite all this, little Daniel was born at 10.08am on Friday fighting fit and weighing a healthy 9lbs and 7oz.

Olivia said: "I look at him and I am just overwhelmed. I am so delighted, it just makes it all worthwhile. He was meant to be here, he's our little miracle.

"My other son, Ben, who is three-and-a-half, is fantastic with him. He is very protective and when Daniel cries he strokes him. He said to Peter the other day: 'I am really pleased I have a brother. That's what I wanted'."

Olivia found the lump in her breast last November and went straight to the doctor following the advice of her late mother who died 15 years ago from breast cancer.

The brave mum was told she would have to wait until after the baby was born before undergoing radiotherapy and hormone treatment, which will now begin in September.

She said: "At the moment I am just getting on with it and enjoying spending some time with Daniel and the family."

Olivia was among thousands of women who took part in the Race for Life in Bournemouth seafront in June to raise vital funds for Cancer Research. Thanks to kind-hearted friends, family and Echo readers she raised over £1,000.

There are places at the Cancer Research UK10 race at Kingston Lacy on October 30, and organisers hope to raise £55,000. The only way to enter is by logging on www. cancerresearchuk10.co.uk.

First published: August 24, 2005