FOR most people, being diagnosed with cancer would force them to put their lives on hold but not ballroom dance fanatic Eileen Partington.

Despite having surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy after being told she had an aggressive form of breast cancer, the gran-of-three never missed a single dance lesson.

Now Mrs Partington, aged 57, from Warwick Gardens, Daubhill, has been chosen to model at a fashion show in aid of St Anns Hospice at the Palace Hotel in Manchester city centre.

She said: "I was really shocked when I got the phone call with the invitation. I said no at first because I just couldnt see me modelling.

"Finally, I did agree and now Im really glad I did because its given me something to aim for. The dresses are absolutely gorgeous, too."

The former shop assistant, who will be celebrating her 40th wedding anniversary with husband Geoffrey next year, was first diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram in 2004.

Following a biopsy, Mrs Partington was told she had five tumours and would have to undergo a mastectomy - she also needed lymph glands under her arm removed as the cancer had spread.

She then had to endure six months of chemotherapy at the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

But it was while doctors were treating her with radiotherapy that they discovered a further two tumours on her breast bone, which had to be treated.

Her treatment ended last October and the cancer has not returned, but she will have to remain on the cancer drug tamoxifen for the next five years.

Despite her painful treatment, and lack of full mobility in her right arm, Mrs Partington refused to miss a session of ballroom dancing - a hobby she is passionate about. She said: "My family, friends and dancing have helped to keep me sane. Ive had so much support, its been unreal. My hair fell out when I was having chemotherapy, but I bought two really fabulous wigs so I could still go out dancing.

"The staff at St Anns have been amazing, I just cant describe how great they've been. This has been such a terrible thing to have gone through and they have done all they can for me."

As well as her sequence dancing, Mrs Partington, who has now had reconstructive surgery, also attends St Anns Hospice in Little Hulton once a week, where she has relaxation therapies, such as reflexology and Indian head massage.

She was chosen by staff at the hospice to be one of the models at the Ladies Fashion Lunch at the Palace Hotel in Manchester on September 23, which will help launch Breast Cancer Awareness.

All the models chosen by the hospice have used the body image service, which is available at the Little Hulton hospice.

The service was set up to help people cope with body changes, such as mastectomy, as a result of cancer.