A JOBLESS chef who claimed a tumour the size of a golf ball went undetected for six months has reached an out-of-court settlement with hospital chiefs.

Shane Conway, 49, was ready to start a legal claim for damages after alleging that tests at Blackburn Infirmary in August 1990 failed to spot a large tumour on his bladder.

But after private talks at Manchester County Court yesterday, he agreed to accept £7,500, plus costs, from the former Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Authority.

Mr Conway, of Hareden Brook Close, Blackburn, claimed the cancer was only spotted six months later in February 1991.

He subsequently had the tumour and his whole bladder removed.

Today Mr Conway told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I will never forgive what happened to me."

Australian-born Mr Conway, who came to England in 1978, said his life had been shattered by the events.

He now has a colostomy bag, is unable to work and also claims his sex life has been ruined.

He said if the cancer had been spotted earlier, his bladder may not have had to be removed.

Mr Conway also said an earlier diagnosis would have improved his life expectancy.

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