A young Bristol mum who has battled cervical cancer wants other women to draw strength from her experience.

Twenty-seven-year-old Carrie-Anne Aldridge had to undergo a radical hysterectomy early this year after she was diagnosed with the disease.

Her son Spencer was nine months old when she started feeling unwell.

She had been suffering stomach pains and felt tired and after some abnormal bleeding felt she should visit her GP.

Miss Aldridge, of Bedminster, was referred to a gynaecologist at St Michael's in December and during an internal examination a tumour was spotted.

She said: "I was not expecting any of this to happen.

"Within a week I had been through lots of scans and a week later they called me in for a radical hysterectomy.

"I always associated cancer with older people and it was quite shocking to be diagnosed.

"At first I didn't want anyone to know and didn't tell anybody about it until after my operation."

A radical hysterectomy involves removing more than in a usual procedure. As well as the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes, the top few centimetres of the vagina and the tissue around it are usually removed, along with the pelvic lymph nodes to remove all the cancer.

Miss Aldridge, of Wingfield Road, had attended her smear test at 25 when the request came through and had no reason to think there was anything for her to worry about.

"My cells were normal before I was pregnant and I'd had no trouble before," added Miss Aldridge. "I was feeling fine in myself and didn't get ill.

"I personally feel I am one of the lucky ones and I am in the position to help those less fortunate than myself."

Miss Aldridge, who lives with her partner Mike Kebby, is not allowed to do any lifting while she is recovering from the operation, which means she is unable to pick up her son.

"I have been doing quite well in myself but Spencer cannot understand why I can't pick him up at the moment," she added.

"I am really lucky. He is such a good baby and we are so lucky to have him.

"I hope other women will ensure they get checked out if something seems wrong."

Miss Aldridge, an administrator, said that the coverage of Jade Goody's cervical cancer was reaching its peak while she was going through her treatment and it made things difficult.

"The coverage was quite negative and that was quite annoying," she said.

"She was there on TV while other people were going through it and had to deal with it in our own way.

"My friends would visit me and tell me that they had tried to find me magazines that did not have it in.

"I am lucky that they were able to help me.

"I am so grateful to everyone at St Michael's, who were brilliant."

Miss Aldridge will be treated to a day out at Silverstone to watch Formula 1 by the Willow Foundation, a charity set up by former Arsenal footballer Bob Wilson and his wife to give people with life-threatening illnesses the chance of an unforgettable experience to cheer them up during a difficult time.

She cannot work at the moment, so Miss Aldridge has been putting her efforts towards a fundraising evening in aid of the charity so that other people in a similar position will also be able to benefit from a special day, and she spends her days resting while sending messages to businesses that might be able to help.

Local companies and sports clubs have donated prizes for the raffle to be held during the event at Bedminster Down Ex-Service Men's Club on August 28.

"I think the Willow Foundation is a good charity for 16 to 40-year-olds," she said. "It felt like it fitted my age group and they are so friendly.

"If I can raise money for someone else to have a day doing what they want it will be great."

Anyone who can help out with prizes for the raffle or who wishes to attend the event on August 28 should call 07842 754482 .