YOUNG mother Helen Ralston has died from a rare form of cancer, six months after giving birth to her first child, Katie.

Mrs Ralston, 29, a receptionist at the Marlborough doctors' surgery, had intended to leave written messages for Katie to read when she was old enough.

But, tragically, the virulent cancer of the thymus gland ended Mrs Ralston's life even sooner than doctors expected, robbing her of the chance to put in writing some of the things she wanted to say to the child she would never see grow up.

Mrs Ralston, who was known as Nell during her 12 years at the George Lane practice, and her husband, Stefan, agreed that Katie should be induced six weeks early so that her mother could be given chemotherapy.

Mrs Ralston's mother, Ruth Marchant, said her daughter had started chemotherapy while she was carrying Katie but had decided with Stefan on an early birth to avoid any risk to their child.

Symptoms of Mrs Ralston's illness were at first thought to be related to the pregnancy that had so delighted her and Stefan.

But, sadly, it was later discovered that she had cancer of the thymus, a small gland in the throat which plays an important part in foetal development but has little function in adults.

After being told by doctors that her illness was terminal, Mrs Ralston intended to write messages for Katie, but she died before she could.

Mrs Marchant, who lives in Pewsham, Chippenham, said: "She was not able to leave anything in writing but she was able to tell Stefan where she wanted her things to go and what should be kept for Katie."

Mrs Ralston died at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford last Tuesday.

She joined the Marlborough medical practice as a teenager and continued to work there after her marriage in July 1999 to Stefan, whose parents live in Ogbourne St George.

Until her marriage, she lived with her mother in Reeds Ground, Marlborough. Her father Michael, died suddenly nine years ago, aged 55, leaving two daughters and a son.

Mrs Ralston moved to live at Abbeymeads, in Swindon, after her marriage, but continued to work at the Marlborough surgery during her pregnancy.

Dr Nick Maurice, who recently took early retirement from the Marlborough practice, described Mrs Ralston as a lovely person who was loved by all who knew her.

He said she fitted the role of a doctor's receptionist perfectly.

"The role of a receptionist is always a difficult one with patients breathing down your neck demanding to see a doctor," he said. "Nell did a wonderful job and was loved by all; the patients, the surgery staff and the doctors.

"She had a good sense of humour and made a great contribution to the team and will be sadly missed."

The surgery was closed yesterday morning as a mark of respect for Mrs Ralston, and to enable her colleagues to attend the funeral at the Kingsdown Crematorium.

It was conducted by the Rev Steve Sankey, minister of Christchurch in Marlborough, where the family had worshipped for many years.

Mr Ralston is planning to return to his work at the Honda car factory in Swindon for the time being, with Katie being looked after by his parents Jody and Beate Ralston.