LITTLE Madison Parton can look forward to 'normal' childhood activities after her family was told she is free of cancer.

The three-year-old, of Sandford Hill, Longton, has spent the past 15 months undergoing intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment to combat an aggressive tumour in her left pelvis.

She was diagnosed with the aggressive and rare child cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, last year after she complained of pains in her leg at the end of 2007.

But her mum Annette vowed to stay positive, and has now been rewarded with the news that the tumour has disappeared.

The 33-year-old, who has three other children called Lauren, aged 14, Megan, aged eight, and six-year-old Tyler, said she couldn't believe the news at first.

She said: "Two weeks ago she was rushed into hospital with suspected meningitis, and things didn't look too good.

"But then out of the blue the University Hospital of North Staffordshire rang and told me she was cancer-free.

"I couldn't believe it. I even rang the hospital back to check it wasn't a dream. The doctors can't give her the all-clear because her cancer was so aggressive.

"But at the moment she is cancer-free, won't need any more treatment, and she will be monitored closely."

As long as Madison remains well, she will never have to endure chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment again, and gradually she will be taken off her medication.

There is a possibility she will not be able to walk properly, but her mum said even the prospect of a disability could not dampen her spirits.

She said: "Madison is going around saying 'I've not got cancer any more', so she knows how significant this news is.

"We're just all looking forward to doing family activities together, and being able to take her to places she's never been to before, like the swimming pool.

"It's actually a bit scary, because I don't know what is 'normal'. It feels like I've been asleep for the past 15 months, and I've suddenly woken up.

"There were days when I didn't want to get up and face things, but now I can't wait to get out of bed.

"The whole experience has made me realise what I have. I never gave up hope and I always said she would pull through – mum knows best."

Annette now wants to organise a party for the people who have helped to raise money for Madison since her story first appeared in The Sentinel.

Landlady Stephanie Evans, who has hosted fund-raising gigs at The New Penny pub, in Fenton, added: "It's fantastic news. Madison is a lovely little girl."