Laura Stevenson, 74, told doctors at Halifax General Hospital that she needed a scan, but they said one was not necessary despite the fact that Mrs Stevenson had suffered previous problems with her back.

When the tumour was eventually spotted, an emergency operation was carried out, but she died of a heart attack shortly afterwards.

Daughter-in-law Carol Tooth said Mrs Stevenson had told doctors she was suffering from numbness down her spine.

"She kept telling them that she had these symptoms and she wanted a scan, but one consultant told her it was all in her mind, that she could walk if she really wanted to and did she realise that the hospital was not a bed and breakfast accommodation?

"People that go into hospital put their lives into the hands of the doctors, consultants and nurses who are there. If they are not doing their job what is the point of going in there?"

Broken ankles

Mrs Stevenson spent three months at Halifax General Hospital, during which time she suffered two broken ankles.

Finally she got a second opinion, and was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary for emergency surgery. The operation was delayed, however, because doctors first had to treat her broken ankles.

Mrs Stevenson's son Peter Tooth said: "When I saw her in the hospital on the Thursday night she could wiggle her toes and her legs were warm.

"Up until that time she could not wiggle her toes and her legs were always cold - the tumour was the reason. If they had picked up on that in the first place she would not have had broken ankles, and she would probably still be alive now.

"I need answers, and I will not settle until I get answers."