A mum whose son was told he might die within six months from a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer is fighting to raise awareness of the disease.

Natalie Riggall's 27-year-old son was told he had Ewing's sarcoma after eight months of complaining to his GP about pain in his shoulder and back.

It became so bad that he could barely walk.

On his fourth visit to hospital he was finally given an accurate diagnosis.

After intensive chemotherapy and surgery he has been in remission for 18 months but is still having regular checks to make sure the cancer does not return.

Natalie, who lives in Blaby, is desperate to raise awareness about Ewing's, which affects just 100 people in the UK every year.

She said: "My son (who asked not to be named) was never ill, he was very healthy and sporty. Then one day he complained of shoulder pain. He went to the GP, who said it was a strain, but it got worse and worse.

"He went back again and again and again. In the end, he was dragging his leg behind him and numb from the waist down.

"Eventually, we got a doctor at hospital to listen. He had an X-ray and an MRI scan and an operation on the tumour because it was putting pressure on his spine.

"They said it was Ewing's sarcoma and he could have as little as six months.

"I was so angry. I'm not saying every time someone walks into a GP with shoulder pain they should automatically think of cancer, but when someone keeps going back, it's got to be a possibility."

According to the Bone Cancer Research Trust, there has been no improvement in survival rates in the UK for primary bone cancer in more than 20 years, and survival rates are lower in the UK than in other parts of western Europe.

Survival rates for many other cancers in children and young adults have improved significantly during this time.

Early diagnosis can improve the chances of being treated successfully, yet primary bone cancer often goes undetected for months or years, being treated as a sports injury or growing pains by both patients and doctors.

Natalie, 47, is holding an entertainment evening to raise funds for the trust.

She wants to raise awareness about Ewing's, and is hoping a celebrity or sportsman will back the trust to support her campaign.

She said: "I had never heard of Ewing's before this. I know it is rare but I just want people to be aware that it can happen, and to fit, healthy, young people."

Natalie is supported by Lily Moore, whose son, Simon, died at the age of 24 following a five-year battle with Ewing's.

Lily, of Leicester Forest West, said: "I was diagnosed with breast cancer before my son was diagnosed, even though his symptoms started months before mine.

"I owe my life to the advances in research for breast cancer. If the Bone Cancer Research Trust had even a fraction of the funding that bigger charities get, who knows what could happen?

"I think doctors in other countries rule out the worst case scenario first and then worry about the smaller things. We do it the other way round, but the sooner you're diagnosed, the better chance you have."

Natalie's fundraising night takes place at Bistro Live in Leicester city centre on Thursday. For more information, call her on 07847 064527.