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A WELL-KNOWN town centre trader is battling serious illness in an American hospital.

Marie Walsh, owner of Ye Olde Pastie Shoppe in Churchgate, developed a blood clot in her leg while flying to Florida to surprise her granddaughter on her third birthday.

Doctors initially told her they might have to amputate her left leg after she developed a thrombosis, but have now told her it has been saved.

Mrs Walsh, speaking from her hospital bed in America, said: "One of the doctors said my leg was in such a bad state they thought I may lose it. My response was anything but that' and I've now been told my leg is safe, after several operations.

"I can't walk though and will have to learn again once my leg has been operated on again." The 70-year-old businesswoman, from Deane, also had pains in her stomach, which have now settled, and internal bleeding, which is being investigated.

Doctors are not sure what kind of thrombosis Mrs Walsh has and are carrying out tests.

Mrs Walsh, who has run Bolton's famous pastie shop for more than 40 years, travelled to Jacksonville alone at the end of April.

She was on a ten-day trip to visit daughter, Kay, her husband, Tommy and granddaughters, Natasha, aged eight, and Vanessa, who turned three on May 3.

On May 2 Marie she fell ill and was admitted to St Vincent's Healthcare.

It is not known when she will be able to return home and she has already been in America a week longer than planned.

She said: "I am getting very good treatment but goodness knows how long I am going to be here. I think it is going to be a long process to get better.

"It was a shock to get ill and very painful and scary. When you have been married for 47 years then something like this happens and you're not with your partner, it's horrible. I'm looking forward to our reunion and I'm missing my family."

Her husband, Jack, aged 76, does not like flying so stayed at home to run the pastie shop. He said: "I can't get her back quick enough. I'm at a loss, feel empty and I'm looking forward to having her home."

7:45am Friday 16th May 2008

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