A DISABLED man living in fear of his cancer returning wants to trace the brother he did not know about for 30 years.

Francis Hodge, 55, is now recovering from colon cancer but faces checks every six months to make sure it has not returned.

The brush with death has spurred on Mr Hodge, who also suffers from arthritis in his spine, to trace the brother he believed had died in 1959.

His mother Selishia Hodge gave birth to her second son Raymond Michael in June 1958.

Mr Hodge, of Kimbolton Close, Lee, said: "One day he was there and the next day he was gone.

I was only seven, so when they told me he had died I just accepted it."

He added: "When my mother passed away eight years ago I began to research my family tree.

"One of my aunts found out what I was doing and she told me my brother had been adopted. I was very shocked."

Mr Hodge's brother went into the care of Lewisham social services in 1959. In 1961 he was adopted by a family in the Bromley area.

Mr Hodge, a father-of-four who drove trucks for a living until three years ago, said: "Being ill made me realise how important it was to try and find my brother.

"A year ago Lewisham Council told me they had information about him but they could not put me in touch with him.

"I am not too hopeful they can help me any more."

A council spokesman said: "We are sorry if Mr Hodge was not put in touch with the Adoption Support Team when he contacted us.

"We urge him to contact the team, who will able to assist in his search and put him in touch with other organisations who may be able to help."

Raymond Michael Hodge was born on June 28, 1958, in St Alfeges Hospital, Greenwich. He lived at 44 Batavia Road, New Cross, until 1959 and was adopted by a Bromley family in 1961.

Anyone with information should call 01689 885721.