NOT many people see cancer in a positive light — but Lesley Bostock says it has made her value herself more.

The brave mum-of-two has battled cancer since 2009, but says “facing death” has made her find her strength.

And now she is one of the stars of a special project after being chosen to be a model for the world-famous photographer John Rankin.

Not only is the 41-year-old’s picture part of an exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery, in Liverpool, but she has also been filmed for a BBC2 documentary about the exhibition.

The documentary will look at five people who are taking part in the exhibition, and will be broadcast on June 1.

Called ALIVE: In The Face of Death, it features more than 80 images from Rankin, focusing on people who are facing life-limitating illnesses, who have overcome huge challenges, or who work in the death industry.

Ms Bostock, who is being treated at Bolton Hospice, said being photographed by Rankin made her realise there is more to her life.

She said after a difficult life, which included being bullied at school and being called big, brown and King Kong, and working in various dead end jobs, she had a series of relationships with men who emotionally man-ipulated her, destroying her self-confidence.

Ms Bostock had treatment for her breast cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2009 and believed it had gone when she fell ill again in May 2011.

After seven months of tests, Ms Bostock was diagnosed with cancer in her bones, lungs and shoulder.

But she said being diagnosed was “positive”, adding: “I feel that having this cancer has made me value myself.

“I still say facing death is a positive for me.

“It has taken me to be nearly dead to realise what I could have been.

“I want people to know just because someone says you might not have long to live doesn’t mean it coudn’t be the turning point of your life.

“Some people just give up but I have turned it around and it has made me find my strength.”

The exhibition at Liverpool’s Walker Gallery will run until September 15.