A Workington girl who has been fighting cancer for almost five years is preparing for yet another operation, this time to finish removing cataracts caused by intensive treatment.

Emily Shutt, six, of Railbank Drive, was diagnosed with leukaemia at the age of two.

Doctors told the family the cataracts were caused by the nine rounds of radiotherapy that Emily received in 2014 to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. That transplant later proved unsuccessful.

Mum Helen Johnson said: “Emily had the cataract operation to her left eye just before Christmas and on Tuesday she’s going back to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle to have her right eye done.

“She’s a lot more apprehensive this time, but like with everything she just takes it in her stride.

“Sadly, going backwards and forwards from the RVI is normality to her, she doesn’t know any different.”

It is the latest challenge for Emily, who could still face further side effects from her treatment that have not yet materialised.

Helen added: “She has ongoing problems on top of the cancer.

“We know she will never be able to have children and it’s absolutely devastating.”

Last year, Emily also had to have seven teeth removed due to damage caused by the treatment.

She has suffered three relapses since her diagnosis and the family was told she was terminally ill in February 2015. However, they are hoping she will qualify for a medical trial at London’s Great Ormond Street hospital.

A fundraising page has been set up to support the family during Emily’s treatment. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfund ing/barrie-shutt-425

The family is also looking for suggestions about how to make her seventh birthday next month special. Anyone with ideas is asked to email alisonjolly1969@hotmail.co.uk