A GRIEVING widow has told of her heartache after her husband died because he failed to spot the early signs of skin cancer.

Amateur cricketer Ian Bellerby discovered a mole on his left calf at the end of last summer but believed it was harmless.

The 34-year-old did not visit his doctor for seven months and when he finally underwent tests he was diagnosed with skin cancer.

Weeks later the disease had spread to his groin and his condition was irreversible. He passed away in hospital three months after his daughter Mollie was born.

By the time he died last Wednesday, the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and bones.

Last night his heartbroken widow Cherie, 29, issued a heartfelt plea for others to be more cautious so they don’t make the same mistake.

The beauty therapist, from Donkins Street, Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, said: “Ian just thought it was a harmless mole and just kept saying, ‘I’ll be all right’.

“But a few months down the line it was still there and it started bleeding, so I persuaded him to check it out, but by then it was too late.

“We couldn’t believe how quickly it had spread. It was only in April he was diagnosed and just a few months later he’s not here any more.

“I would urge anyone who has any moles or anything they’re not sure of, no matter how small, to go and have it checked out because I wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what we’re going through now. Life is far too short.”