AT first sight, he seems a typical pensioner.

But Geoff Jones, 76, has a remarkable tale to tell.

Two years ago after being diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, he was told there was no hope.

But thanks to radical surgery he is now leading a full and happy life.

The disease, known as pseudomyxoma peritonei, usually starts in the appendix and affects just one in a million people.

Mr Jones said: "I am the luckiest man in Great Britain. Friends say to me it's one in a million, by golly you're unlucky!" but that's not the case at all."

In 2011 Mr Jones had some polyps removed from his intestine at Furness General Hospital. It was during a routine check-up scan in summer 2015 that the cancer, which is often symptomless, was discovered.

Mr Jones, from Ulverston, said: "I had a colonoscopy that was all clear of polyps but the hawk-eyed doctor said there was too much mucus in the lower region. He also noticed that my appendix was swollen and needed immediate attention."

An oncologist then carried out some exploratory ultrasound scans and broke the news to Mr Jones.

"She was there with her team and said 'I am very sorry to inform you that you have a very rare form of cancer. It's incurable. We can't do anything about it.'

However after being sent to The Christie hospital in Manchester Mr Jones was told he could undergo a treatment known as Sugarbaker, a radical type of surgery named after the American surgeon who developed it.

After undergoing tests at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, to determine whether he was eligible for the treatment, Mr Jones was able to have the operation on New Year's Eve.

The procedure, also known as debulking, involves removing part of the cancerous tumour along with other organs. This can then can be followed up with heated chemotherapy.

Mr Jones said "The surgeons removed my belly button and gall bladder as well as part of my liver, bladder and the peritonei."

"The operation took about 10 hours and afterwards they injected liquid chemotherapy, heated up to 40C for 90 minutes."

Mr Jones will now be monitored for five years to check if the tumour has grown back.

Now, apart from a recent knee operation, Mr Jones is in good health. The former painter and decorator said: "I feel great. Now I spend most of my time walking in the fells with my dogs."

He also credits his wife Barbara with supporting him in his recovery.

He said: "She is possibly the best nurse and has the best temperament of anyone I know."

After reading the Evening Mail article on Denise Cloudsdale , the former mayor of Millom who sadly died from the same form of cancer, Mr Jones was inspired by her immense bravery.

He added: "The problem is that 90 per cent of people find out when it is too late but those who have gone before, like Mrs Cloudsdale, have left a legacy of hope."

Mrs Cloudsdale underwent a pioneering multi-organ transplant which has only ever been attempted five times but has been successful in three cases.

The first person to undergo this type of surgery was the Rugby League player Steve Prescott and a subsequent foundation has been set up in his name to raise awareness of the condition.

Very little is known about the disease at the moment but research will continue to pave the way for more people to survive it.