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A pensioner who says his cancer was miraculously cured by holy water at Lourdes will have his claims tested by doctors.

Kazik Stepan, 71, believes bathing in holy water at the Roman Catholic sacred site in France as a teenager made him able to walk for the first time in months.

A tumour on his spinal cord left him seriously unwell, so much so doctors feared he wouldn't even survive the pilgrimage.

Now, more than 50 years on, the grandfather will revisit the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, where his claim of a miracle will be assessed by the International Medical Committee of Lourdes, comprising 30 doctors.

This will be broadcast on BBC's Songs of Praise later this month.

Mr Stepan, who lives in Kent, wants the medics to back his theory that he was "blessed with a permanent recovery".

But the doctors must be certain the man was incurable before they reach a decision.

If doctors confirm Mr Stepan’s claim, he will be the first Briton to have his cure verified.

When Mr Stepan visited Lourdes in 1965, he enjoyed bathing in the holy water.

It flows from the Grotto of Massabielle and is claimed to have healing properties.

Speculation about its qualities began in 1858 when the spring’s location is said to have been revealed by Our Lady of Lourdes – a title for the Virgin Mary of the Catholic faith – to Saint Bernadette Soubirous.

Around 100 people claim to be miraculously healed by the water of Lourdes every year, although the Catholic Church has only certified 70 miracles linked to the site.