MARSHALL Gormley, the young Worcester boy who has spent 16 months in hospital and has endured 55 operations, has had another setback.

The four-year-old, of Borrow-dale Drive, Warndon, was looking forward to being released from hospital when he had to go under anaesthetic once again.

As previously reported in the Worcester News, Marshall was rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital on December 20, 2004 with cancer and has been there ever since.

But for the youngster, fighting the disease was just the start, because when he was given chemotherapy to treat it, he suffered a perforated bowel. Since then he has had a large section of his bowel removed, as each time it is joined together, another section ruptures.

He is believed to be the only child to survive the condition, but it has taken its toll. His muscles have wasted by spending so much time in bed, and he can now only walk with the aid of a special machine.

As we reported last month, though, things were looking better for young Marshall, and despite his latest delay, his parents are still happy with the way he is progressing.

His dad, Paul, said: "We were hoping to have him home for a couple of days soon, but that's not going to happen now.

"He had started to eat again, which caused the latest leak, and is now back on the tube again. The only flavour he gets is by licking a lollipop.

"Despite this though, he is getting stronger and is putting on weight."

No one knows what will happen next to Marshall, whose young life has been very eventful.

His plight touched the heart of Worcester News readers who raised enough money for his parents to buy a specialist car to take him out on day trips. He has used it on several occasions, but not just at the moment.