LESS than a year ago Kent police officer Lisa Norman was diagnosed with one of the most virulent strains of cancer.

Her life as an energetic PC with a promising career was plunged into a living hell after she was told she had only a 50-50 chance of survival.

But after a gruelling course of chemotherapy, followed by a five-hour mastectomy and breast reconstruction, plus radiology treatment, the brave young officer is back at work at Rochester Police Station. And she says she has never felt better.

Her remarkable recovery has amazed her colleagues who have supported her throughout her ordeal.

It was last November that 29-year-old Lisa was dealt the terrible news that four aggressive tumours had merged into the size of a small apple in her right breast and spread to her lymph glands. Naturally, she was devastated but never let the illness get her down. She raised thousands of pounds in a charity race, continued to study for her sergeant's exams and only gave up her job when her illness made her too weak.

While Lisa currently has a desk position dealing with planning and resources, she hopes to return to her usual role as a frontline officer in the next few weeks.

She said: "It's good to be back and get some normality after 10 months of doing nothing.

Super-fit Lisa has returned to her regime of running, swimming and working out in the gym four times a week.

She has already been declared in good enough shape to take up an old job which often involves confronting drunken clubbers and thugs.

And another encouraging sign of recovery is that her once-long auburn locks have began to grow back.

She said: "After completely losing my hair it's taken me five months to get to this stage - and I even have eyebrows again."