A CHILD cancer survivor was special guest at the official opening of Cancer Research UK's brand new charity shop in Birkenhead.

Nine-year-old Ethan Richardson, a pupil at St Paul's RC Primary School in Prenton, became poorly when he was a toddler.

It was initially thought he had a hernia or twisted bowel, but tests revealed Ethan had a large tumour in his stomach.

He was given very high doses of chemotherapy treatment and then had surgery to remove a kidney and the tumour.

After further chemotherapy following surgery, he has made a good recovery.

He struggled to eat or sleep and developed a swollen stomach. It was initially thought he could have a hernia or twisted bowel.

But tests revealed Ethan had a large tumour in his stomach.

Ethan's biopsy results were sent around the world to top cancer consultants as the team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital were puzzled by the type of tumour.

Thanks to a doctor in London the puzzle was solved and Ethan was diagnosed with "clear cell sarcoma of the kidney".

The team at Alder Hey had only seen three cases of this type of tumour in 25 years.

His family was warned that if he caught an infection it could be prove fatal because the chemotherapy had weakened his immune system.

The tumour which was removed from Ethan’s stomach was about 30cm long and doctors believed it had been growing for about seven months.

He was among the special guests at the opening of Cancer Research UK’s shop in Borough Pavement in Birkenhead on Monday.

Manager Paul Jones said: “We are so grateful to Ethan for coming along to be our special guest.

“His inspiring story brings home the importance of raising funds.”