LINDA NOLAN - NOLAN SISTER HAS BREAST CANCER SURGERY

LINDA NOLAN, a member of Irish singing quintet THE NOLANS, is recovering following surgery to combat breast cancer.

The 47-year-old, who was told she had a the disease earlier this month (FEB06), underwent an operation last week (ends24FEB06) to remove a large tumour at Victoria Hospital in Blackpool, England

Her eldest sister ANNE was also diagnosed with the condition six years ago (00) but has since been given the all-clear after being treated at the same hospital.

Linda says, "(My family) helped me so much during my fight and it is important that you are near your family in this situation."

Her agent YVETTE HALES adds, "Her operation appears to have gone well."