When vintage tractor enthusiast Ken Philpott went into hospital for a routine scan he never dreamt that he would end up having 45 per cent of his lung removed through cancer only a month later.

Mr Philpott, from Penberthy Road in Helston, received help from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation after reading an article in the Helston Packet about mayor Mike Thomas giving his backing to the charity, in memory of former deputy mayor Mark Upton who died from the disease.

Now Mr Philpott, 63, hopes to give something back through a vintage tractor run with his fellow enthusiasts, in thanks for the support he and his wife Mary received.

He told the Packet said: "I'm one of the fortunate ones really. When you go into the Sunrise Centre [Truro's cancer centre] it's opened my eyes because it's always completely full; young people, old people. Cancer has no sympathy for anybody. But catching it early is the most important thing.

"Whatever amount it raises, I'm hoping this will help somebody else."

It was in August last year that Mr Philpott went to the doctor with a "niggle" in his side and was sent to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for a scan on his appendix, which ended up having to be removed.

While there, however, the scan also revealed a mass on his right lung that turned out to be cancer.

"It was found by accident. The scan man must have come up a bit higher and scanned it on the bottom of the lung.

"A couple of people from the Sunrise Centre came; it frightened the life out of me. But they said by finding it now it could save your life. Twelve months down the line would have been more or less too late to operate, the surgeon said," remembered Mr Philpott.

Within weeks he was at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth undergoing a five-hour operation to remove the affected section of lung.

He has since received chemotherapy and is now in remission, awaiting the results of a follow up scan to make sure the procedure has been a complete success.

The couple received £150 from the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, which paid for Mary to stay close by for three nights, with the family covering the remainder of the week.

"It was marvellous," said Mr Philpott. "I made some good friends in hospital, but it's always nice to have a loved one with you."

It was his friend Peter Richards, a fellow vintage tractor enthusiast, who suggested organising a tractor run to raise some funds to give back to help other people.

This will take place on Sunday, July 3, leaving from the fairground car park opposite Coronation Lake at 10am and following a route around West Cornwall.

Mr Philpott hopes he will be well enough by then to take part on his 1958 David Brown 900 tractor.

Donations will be collected and there are charity bracelets and badges to sell.

Anyone wanting to give some money can email Mr Philpott's daughter Emma at emma.philpott@aol.com