A GLASGOW tennis fan will celebrate his 57th birthday tomorrow - and net cash to fight the cancer that almost claimed his life.

Lawyer Alan Liddell is hoping to raise £20,000 for research into oesophageal cancer, or cancer of the gullet, at a charity tennis tournament.

He was diagnosed with the UK's fourth biggest cancer killer in 2003 but was given the all-clear after major surgery and chemotherapy.

The cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 6%, even with radiotherapy and surgery, and kills 4000 people each year.

Scotland has one of the worst rates for oesophageal cancer in the UK with more than 700 cases diagnosed each year.

However, charities say there has been little dedicated research into the causes of the disease or ways in which earlier diagnosis can be made.

Alan, from the South Side, was diagnosed in July 2003 after he developed a cough. He said: "I remember the day I was diagnosed the doctor told me he had good news and bad news for me.

"He told me I had a tumour on my throat and I almost keeled over with the shock. I had never been ill in my life. I was lucky that my cancer was caught very early.

"I've been actively involved in tennis all my life and its been my aim for a long time to hold a Tennis Charity Day to raise funds to fight this insidious disease."

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer include difficulty swallowing solid food, pain or burning while swallowing, weight loss, heart burn and chronic coughing.

Alan has organised a fundraising tennis tournament at three locations, including Renfrew, tomorrow.

He is hoping to raise around £20,000 for three cancer charities: OCHRE, which promotes awareness of oesophageal cancer, the Maggie's Centre in Glasgow and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Jen Meenan, community fundraiser for Maggie's Glasgow, said: "Alan's tennis event will raise valuable funds for three very worthy causes who all help people affected by cancer.

"I'm sure I speak for OCHRE and Teenage Cancer Trust when I say we are delighted that Alan has chosen to support us."

The tournament is on at David Lloyd Renfrew, Cockleshill Park, Renfrew, as well as at two locations in Edinburgh. To enter a team of four visit www.alanscancerevent.co.uk or call Alan on 07718 924268.