A TOT who has been given months to live after his aggressive cancer returned will go for urgent surgery next week.

The family of four-year-old Caleb Stirrat were left devastated after a new tumour was found in his brain and the cancer was seen to be spreading.

But last night his Parkhall family confirmed there was a trial drug in Manchester they hope will give them more time with their little boy.

Caleb is now scheduled to undergo an eight-hour operation on Tuesday, June 16 to remove most of the second tumour and then try the new drug.

More than a year ago, Caleb - triplet with sisters Poppy and Alyssia - was diagnosed with an ATRT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour), a fast-growing tumour of the brain and spinal cord.

He has been through surgery, chemotherapy and proton beam therapy in Florida. Scans last month revealed the cancer had returned and there was nothing more doctors could do.

They gave Caleb between four and 15 months.

On Sunday he was taken to hospital feeling unwell, but was able to return home the next night.

Posting to Facebook on Wednesday night, parents Karen and Andy said: "Since getting the devastating news last week that Caleb only had four months to live, through tears and sleepless nights we decided to fight for a second opinion.

"We found a trial drug in Manchester that we hope will give us more time with Caleb.

"With the backing of an oncologist in Manchester, and Caleb's surgeon in Glasgow, we have decided to opt for Caleb to go in for surgery on June 16.

"The plan will be to remove most of the tumour and then proceed with the drug."

Read more: Family devastated as Caleb Stirrat is given just a few months to live

They continued: "Taking this option may give us time or it could shrink the tumour, we don't know for sure what the outcome will be. In saying that, we are going to give it our best shot.

"Caleb has been deteriorating quite rapidity this week and this would give him the best possible chance.

"The operation lasts approximately eight hours. It may not work; Caleb may not make it out of theatre.

"As difficult as it is to make the decision to operate, these risks are the same risks we faced last year when Caleb was diagnosed with ATRT for the first time. If we didn't take the chance, we would never forgive ourselves."

The family added: "Please keep our precious Caleb in your thoughts and prayers. We will update you on how he is getting on in the run up to the operation."

A fundraiser for the family has already collected nearly £12,000. To contribute, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/preciouscaleb.