A CANCER survivor was back at work raising money for war heroes just a couple of days after having an artificial eye socket implanted.

Redhill's Roy Peacock was diagnosed with an intra-ocular melanoma in 1997.

By 2003 his eye had turned grey and Mr Peacock was left with no choice but to have it removed.

In the following years doctors were concerned with a series of growths emerging in the affected area, meaning Mr Peacock had to return on four different occasions to have them removed.

In an attempt to rectify the problem for good, the 44-year-old landlord at The Hatch pub in Hatchlands Road went under the surgeons' knife on July 27 this year to have an artificial eye socket built into his head.

Just a few days later he was back behind the bar starting his own campaign to raise hundreds of pounds for war veterans ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain next month.

"What this has made me realise is that you have to put yourself forward and make the most of life," the former Air Force volunteer said.

"I try not to look back at how things were when I was first diagnosed. It just started out as a bit of irritation in my eye so I had it checked and they diagnosed it almost straight away.

"What is gone is gone. You have to adjust to live with what you have got and get on with it."

The artificial acrylic socket will remain in place to allow fatty tissues to rebuild in the area.

After 14 weeks he will have a prosthetic eye inserted.

Mr Peacock is now embarking on a campaign to commemorate the Battle of Britain anniversary with a charity barrel roll on September 18.

Led by a marching band, two 18-gallon barrels will be rolled from Redhill Aerodrome to the War Memorial at Shaw's Corner, along a five mile route through town.

He added: "It was such a huge event in our history we feel as though we should try and do as much as possible.

"With my own experiences I just want to do all I can now to help out others."

For information visit www.rafbf.org or to sponsor visit www.helpforheroes.org.uk or visit http://www.justgiving.com/The-Hatch-Public-House2