Former Carlisle United captain Nick Anderton has shared the "best possible news" that he is cancer free.

The former Blues skipper, who has been battling the rare bone cancer osteosarcoma for more than a year, gave the brilliant update on his condition today.

Anderton, 27, has been undergoing chemotherapy for several months after being diagnosed with the disease last summer.

He insists that "the journey is by no means over" as he must continue to undergo regular checks.

But the former defender, who retired earlier this year, said he is looking forward to some "normality" returning to his life with his family.

In a post on social media, Anderton said: "My first lot of scans have come back with the best possible news I could have hoped for, no sign of active disease.

"This journey is by no means over as the cancer can return and I'm going to be checked every few months for the foreseeable.

"I just wanted to let people know and more importantly thank everybody for everything over the last year.

"The messages I've received, the donations to the GoFundMe and the all-round support has been unbelievable.

News and Star: Nick Anderton pictured in action for CarlisleNick Anderton pictured in action for Carlisle (Image: Barbara Abbott)

"I'm going to try and enjoy some normal life with my family now and make the best memories whilst trying to figure out what's next."

Anderton, whose previous clubs also include Preston North End, Barrow, Accrington Stanley, Blackpool and latterly Bristol Rovers, accompanied his update with some photos of the past year from his period of treatment.

He said it was "not how I imagined my mid-twenties to pan out" but that he was "blessed still to be here battling on".

The former left-back played for Carlisle from January 2020 to the summer of 2021, making 54 appearances and captaining them in the 2020/21 League Two season under Chris Beech.

Anderton spoke in depth about his cancer battle in an interview with the News & Star in April, which can be read HERE