A little boy who has been fighting against cancer has taken a step towards recovery.

Oliver Headon, of Broomfield, Chelmsford, has spent the last five months in Great Ormond Street Hospital.

He was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive cancer, Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, in April which affects the lymph glands.

But doctors treating Oliver, who celebrates his fourth birthday today, have told his parents Mike and Dawn that the cancer has gone from his major organs.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said Oliver had turned "quite a major corner".

She added: "It is very good news but he will still have to continue on another four-month block of chemotherapy which means he faces the continued risk of infection."

Mrs Headon said the family is delighted with the progress Oliver has made and dad Mike said "we are cautiously optimistic about the news".

When Oliver was first diagnosed with the disease Mrs Headon appealed to readers to send in cards to cheer the youngster up during treatment. Readers responded in droves.

Mrs Headon said: "The response was overwhelming and even now he still loves getting the cards, he really never gets tired of reading them and the walls of his room are covered in them."

She said thousands of cards had arrived, and some people had sent three or four each.

But Mrs Headon, who has another son, Lewis, 5, said Oliver will still have to stay in hospital for a while.

"The chemotherapy made him very unwell so he still has a very long way to go, but it is a huge relief to know it is actually working," she added.

Anyone wanting to send cards and best wishes can write to Oliver Headon, Room 18, Lion Ward, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London WC1.

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