For a Keighley businessman who always prided himself on keeping in shape, the idea that he might be suffering from a serious disease was too far fetched to contemplate.

He was putting in the hours at work without too much trouble and still managing to keep physically fit.

For three years he experienced problems when urinating, but wrote it off as nothing serious and put it to the back of his mind.

It was only when he read an article in a national newspaper on the increase in prostate cancer that he became aware of symptoms that matched problems he was encountering.

A trip to his GP confirmed the 55-year-old's worst fears.

Alan Marr was one of the 20,000 men in the UK to be diagnosed with the disease each year, which kills 10,000 people annually and accounts for one in 12 male deaths.

After an operation to remove the prostate gland he is now nearing the end of a radiotherapy course.

And he is making an impassioned plea to other middle aged men to learn from his example and act swiftly if they suspect anything is wrong.

To this end, Mr Marr, who owns filling stations in Keighley and Halifax is also supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, which runs from March 24 to April 1.

Mr Marr says: "Three years ago I went for a medical in Leeds and was told that I was healthy but needed to lose a little weight.

"I also had what is called a PSA blood test and the result from that was ten, which was higher than the normal reading of between three and five.

"During the next year I lost two stone and was feeling physically fit. It was taking me a long time to urinate but it was something I put down to getting older.

"What I've learned since is that being fit has got nothing to do with prostate cancer. It can hit any man over the age of 40, regardless of their physical well being."

It was when he read an article in a newspaper 18 months ago about raising awareness of prostate cancer that he realised he could identify with seven symptoms it outlined.

"I had all the information in my hands but for one reason or another I didn't get round to seeing my GP until last August" says Mr Marr.

"I had another PSA test done by my GP and this time my level had gone up to 33, which is dangerously high.

"It was then that I went to see a specialist and found out that this was 11th hour stuff. I had left the cancer growing in me for three years and was finally doing something about it.

"The operation was carried out in September and after six to eight weeks recuperation at home I started a seven week course of radiotherapy at Cookridge Hospital, along with hormone treatment, to reduce the threat of the cancer returning."

Mr Marr adds: "Since I've had my operation my PSA level has dropped to 0.15 and I've managed to do plenty of walking and feel fine.

"After speaking to ten of my friends they have gone for check ups and thankfully they have received the all clear.

"It is so important that all men who are having trouble urinating go to their GP for a PSA test. It might just be an enlarged prostate that can be cured relatively easily, or it might just be prostate cancer."

Symptoms, which are also common with an enlarged prostate, are generally:

* Difficulty or pain when urinating

* The need to pass urine more often

* Broken sleep due to increased visits to pass urine

* Waiting for long periods before the urine flows

* The feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully.

More information can be obtained by calling The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential helpline on 08453 008383.