A 42-YEAR-OLD father of two who is battling breast cancer hit the catwalk last week at a glittering fashion show in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

Brian Place, an RAF communications technician from Fir Road, Colerne, was diagnosed with the little-known male breast cancer in June 2005.

After months of treatment he proudly strode out on stage at London's Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane to raise awareness about the disease.

He was one of 22 male and female models, all of whom have had breast cancer, at the annual fashion show.

A host of celebrities were at the charity event including former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, Natasha Kaplinsky, Mariella Frostrup and Linda Barker.

Mr Place said: "It was fantastic - a great experience. There was a lot of camaraderie among the models backstage."

Mr Place had a mastectomy and a course of radiotherapy after his diagnosis and found that his self esteem and body confidence were shattered after the surgery.

He said: "It is a little known fact that men have breast tissue and can have breast cancer.

"It's hard to find people to talk to about it because so few men get the disease, so I went on the Breast Cancer Care forums online quite a lot and chatted to people there."

The annual fashion show is now in its tenth year and the models who take part offer a powerful message to other people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

They were transformed into stunning catwalk stars wearing the latest fashion designs with their hair and make-up prepared by Vidal Sassoon and Estee Lauder.

Mr Place is still on medication to combat the disease but his outlook is good and he and his family are confident about the future.

He said: "The fashion show did my confidence the world of good. I'm not usually an open exhibitionist and there were a lot of nerves but everybody propped each other up.

"But the real highlight was getting to kiss Natasha Kaplinsky."