Laura Nuttall to celebrate Christmas early - as doctors tell her cancer has spread

• ITV Granada Reports presenter Elaine Willcox caught up with Laura's parents, Nicola and Mark.

The family of a young woman who has lived with terminal cancer for four years say they are ‘bringing Christmas forward’ because her cancer has spread.

Laura Nuttall,  who is 22 and from Barrowford in Lancashire was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer glioblastoma after going for a routine eye test.

She had her fourth surgery four weeks ago but days later she was told the tumour had already grown back and moved into other parts of her brain.

Laura is now having emergency radiotherapy which will last for two weeks, but her family say they haven’t given up hope and are still fighting for more research.

The Nuttall family are also determined to make sure Laura can enjoy Christmas, so they are planning a family gathering this weekend.

“The tree is up,” said Laura’s mum, Nicola.

“It's quite gloomy inside and out at the moment so we’re trying to bring some light.”

“We’re just elongating Christmas,” said her dad, Mark.

As well as having that time with her family, Laura has been garnering support and travelling to South Africa and America, whilst completing a degree in Philosophy Politics and Economics at the University of Manchester.

The family say they have great support from Bolton comedian Peter Kay, who took them out for a meal near their home in Burnley.

Laura’s dad worked with Peter at ITV Granada in Manchester and says he called as soon as he heard Laura was ill and his visits always ‘lift everyone’s mood’ and he ‘makes them all laugh.’

Her family say she loves driving and had to give up her licence when she was diagnosed. But that hasn’t stopped her trying out all manner of vehicles including driving a battleship.

Her family says Laura ‘ just gets on with life and looks for the next challenge’ and they are determined to create as many memories together.

Her mum said, “We just need to keep her busy and focused on things to look forward to.”

Her family are calling for more research into glioblastoma, which is biggest cancer killer of children and adults with cancer under 40 but gets just 2 percent of cancer funding.

Laura has had treatment in Germany and her family set up a fund called 'Doing it for Laura' to help pay for her treatment, raising almost £90,000 so far.

She is also an ambassador for for The Brain Tumour Charity who her family say have been an incredible support.