He's gonna be a part of it, New York! (From Warrington Guardian)

He's gonna be a part of it, New York!

MEDIA student Paul Cannon was diagnosed with cancer a week before he started his degree.

A year later, he has received the all-clear and is set to follow in the footsteps of Martin Scorsese and Oliver Stone by continuing his film studies in New York.

Paul, 27, from Murdishaw, is heading off to the New York Film Academy for nine months, starting in September.

He has already completed one year of a media, film and television degree at Edge Hill College of Higher Education.

A former Brookvale High School pupil, he said: "It's taken a lot of paperwork and valuable help from the staff at Edge Hill, but I've finally been given the go-ahead to pack my bags for the Big Apple."

During his studies Paul, who also had a short film shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival, will work on 16 films, arrange locations for shoots and deal with professional actors.

He opted for a move back into education after spending a number of years as an IT consultant, only to be dealt a huge blow when he was diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system.

"I was advised by my doctor to take a year out but I decided to continue as planned. I had to undergo chemotherapy every two weeks as well as radiation therapy," he said. "Thankfully I recently received the all-clear and I can look forward to my year in New York with renewed optimism - after all, had I decided to take time off this opportunity may never have arisen.

"I can't wait to get over there to see the sights and use some of the finest equipment in the industry."