The son of a retired police officer who died from an aggressive and rare cancer is urging people to get anything “sinister” checked out.

Elliott Cobb-Webb’s dad Paul first noticed a lump on his thigh in 2022 but dismissed it for four months as a knock before going to see a physiotherapist.

At his appointment, the physiotherapist became alarmed by the lump, which measured several inches, and told Paul to seek medical advice immediately.

He did and was diagnosed with pleomorphic soft tissue sarcoma in September 2022.

The lump then started to grow rapidly and, within weeks, covered his entire thigh so he had an eight-hour operation to remove the tumour.

However, at a follow-up appointment the next month, doctors told Paul the cancer had spread to other parts of his body, including his heart and lungs, and was incurable.

The 64-year-old was moved to University College Hospital in London and stayed there until he died on March 6, 2023, six months after his diagnosis.

His son Elliott, from Ramsgate, said: “Dad was an all-round nice guy. He was stoic and heroic but, if he had sought help earlier, maybe he would still be alive.

“It was just six months from him being diagnosed to passing away. If people see something sinister, they should not hide away, they should get it checked out.”

The quantity surveyor and project manager is now running the London Marathon in April dressed as a human bone to honour his father.

He has chosen the distinctive costume to highlight the work of Sarcoma UK and is raising money for the charity.

Elliott, 33, said: “Dad always thought that I was mad with some of the running and cycling events that I did, and I can only imagine his reaction if I told him I was doing this.

“Using his story as inspiration to raise money and awareness for Sarcoma UK while pounding the streets of London in an iconic marathon like this would be a dream come true.”

Sarcoma UK’s director of fundraising and communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, added: "Our hearts go out to Elliott and his family. Losing his father, Paul, to sarcoma in just six months shows why raising awareness of this rare cancer is so vital.

“Elliott's brave decision to run the London Marathon in a bone costume is not only a moving tribute to his dad but will help shine a light on sarcoma.

“We are incredibly touched by his commitment to helping other families affected by sarcoma while honouring his father's memory."

Sarcoma is a cancer that affects 15 people every day in the UK.