PAUL McCartney's future wife Heather Mills has sent words of love and support to a 13-year-old cancer victim from Chorley who is soon to have her leg amputated.

Heather, who lost a leg herself following a road accident involving a police motorcyclist in 1993, is brave Sarah Hayworth's hero.

Sarah, of Balmoral Road, Chorley, was diagnosed with a tumour in her lower leg at 11 and is now fighting lung cancer. She faces a major operation this week to remove a tumour on the lung.

But her spirits were lifted when Heather, who got engaged to the former Beatle earlier this month, sent her a message of support after being contacted by the Chorley Citizen.

Speaking from abroad, where she is on holiday with Paul, Heather said: "It seems like Sarah is a real fighter -- after getting over leg cancer she will then have to tackle lung cancer and the amputation will be a small hurdle compared to this.

"The one thing I can be sure of is that she will get over the loss of her leg and she needs as much help and love as she can get -- I am certainly sending her my love."

After hearing the news, a thrilled Sarah said: "I am really proud that Heather has said that. I love her because she's achieved so much although her life's been difficult.

"I would really like to thank her."

Sarah's mum Linda Gallagher said: "Sarah has lost 12 friends to cancer -- out of all the children she started treatment with, there is just one little boy left.

"I am very frightened for her, but we just take each day as it comes -- it has all seemed like taking one step forward and then three back."

She added: "Sarah draws a lot of inspiration from Heather Mills who seems so full of life and strong despite being an amputee.

"Before the cancer, Sarah was very sporty -- you name it she did it -- and although she keeps up with her studies she misses out on a lot.

"She has been in a wheelchair for a while now and is coping surprisingly well, but we need to raise enough money to buy her a sports leg which costs £9,000."

Sarah's school, Euxton Primary, has raised £500, and her dad Stephen Hayworth is running the Great North Run to raise money.

Meanwhile, Heather Mills not only sent her love, but also responded with some expert advice for Sarah, who is due to have her leg amputated in October.

She said: "Funding is available for sports limbs, which are called 'flex foots', from certain local authorities. Sarah must ask her GP to refer her for cosmetic cover at her health authority and they will then consider her case and may refer her to a clinic."