WELWYN HATFIELD MP Melanie Johnson has been diagnosed with breast cancer, and will undergo an operation next month.

The news has been greeted with shock by the community.

"It is a shock," said Labour district councillor Colin Croft. I just wish her a speedy recovery she is needed."

His colleague on Welwyn Hatfield District Council Irish MacDonald, who made a full recovery from the disease a few years ago, said: "I can't believe it. I am upset.

"I hope that she is going to get better as I did."

Councillor Jill Weston shared her shock. "She always seemed so well, so positive and so cheerful," she said.

The 46-year-old MP was told by doctors an operation was necessary to remove cancerous tissue after tests at Addenbrooks Hospital in Cambridge, where she lives with her partner Michael Jordan, twin daughters aged 17 and son of 15.

Her personal assistant Chris Gillen said there was every hope the operation, which will be performed by the NHS in mid-November, would lead to a full recovery as the tumour had been detected at an early stage.

October 24, 2001 12:06

Alex Lewis