A dad with cancer is preparing to spend Christmas in hospital as he prepares for lifesaving surgery to remove his right lung.

John Reynolds, 37, and his wife Carly, both from Maidstone, are in Chelsea as John waits for a surgery slot to become available.

The parents to Josh, 10, and John, seven, are hoping he'll be able to go in for surgery on Monday, but right now it's a waiting game.

Carly, a mobile hairdresser, said: "In 2017 John was diagnosed with a really aggressive form of leukaemia.

"Telling the children daddy had cancer was the worst thing we've ever had to go through.

"He only had a 20% chance of living, but after chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant he went into remission.

"This year he became a self employed carpenter and everything's been going great. Then he came home saying he didn't feel well."

In November the Sutton Road dad was diagnosed with sarcoma, a form of cancer in his lungs and windpipe.

He now faces a six-hour surgery to remove his right his lung.

The couple have been staying near the Royal Brompton Hospital in Chelsea while John's mum, Maria, looks after their two boys.

While John is ill he cannot work, and faces a six-month recovery time following the surgery.

Mobile hairdresser Carly said: "I'm still trying to work, this could be a really busy time of year, but obviously I'm looking after John taking him up to the hospital, Maria has been a big help with the boys but it's just really hard at the moment.

"It's broken my heart as all of our family have to through this for a second time."

To support themselves through the next months, the family have set up a fundraising page.

In less than 24 hours the fundraiser smashed the £2,000 target, with more than £4,000 donated.

After taking John for a scan on Friday, Carly says the family is facing an anxious wait: "It might be he can have the surgery on Monday, but we're not sure.

"It all depends on if there is a vacancy available."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.