Former Burnley chairman on 126-mile prostate cancer trek

Barry Kilby's testing initiative has so far identified 500 men with prostrate cancer who did not know they had it

An ex-Premier League chairman who has been treated for prostate cancer is walking a major canal to raise awareness about the condition.

Barry Kilby, the former Burnley chief, is leading a team along the 126 miles of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal.

The 74-year-old stepped down from his role with the club in 2012 when he was first diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Since then, he has helped save hundreds of lives with testing at football clubs in the north-west of England.

Mr Kilby, who made his fortune producing lottery scratch cards, took over as chairman of the Lancashire club in 1998 when they were at the bottom of the third tier of English football.

He helped turn them around and saw them rise to the Premier League, but he said he sees what he is doing now as a bigger achievement.

Supporters on his walk along the Leeds-Liverpool canal

The testing began four years ago with strong results.

"We've tested more than 8,000 men at sports grounds and the results have been really good," he said.

"From them, we've found 500 men who had prostate cancer who didn't know about it.

"And the cancer is caught before it gets any worse."

Mr Kilby, who is doing the walk in 12 instalments, began in June.

He said he still has cancer but it was "under control".

Burnley are currently bottom of the Premier League with no points after losing all three league games so far this season.

The Clarets were promoted last season after winning the Championship.

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