A retired milkman’s entire lung has been removed through a tiny two inch keyhole surgery in a world first.

Raymond Page, 74, was the first in the world to undergo the revolutionary procedure to remove his lung which had developed stage 4 cancer, the most dangerous form of the disease.

After the surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital, the former milkman from Peterborough was left with a two inch scar and was up walking and joking with his wife shortly after.

The new technique involves a 2 ½-hour operation with a tiny cut in the abdomen between the ribs, reducing pain and time spent in hospital.

Currently, surgeons reach the lung through an incision sometimes four times the size in the side of the chest which can require months of recovery.

The president of the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery, Richard Page, believes that the “pioneering” technique will become widespread and “will find its place in keyhole surgery for the chest.”

Raymond Page was diagnosed with bladder cancer in April last year, a month before his 50th wedding anniversary.

His wife, Jo, 69, said that “we celebrated knowing it might be our last” to enjoy with each other and their three children and eight grandchildren.