Doctors thought teacher's back pain was food intolerance - she was dead from cancer within a year

A popular teacher who died from a rare form of cancer was initially told by doctors she was suffering from a food intolerance, her dad has revealed.

Thousands of tributes poured in for Claire Tomlinson after she tragically lost her battle with the disease this morning.

Claire, from Southport, was working as a teacher in London when she was given the devastating news in February that she had stage four renal cancer.

Her father John said she began to suffer with back pain last year and after visiting doctors, they told her they thought she had a food intolerance.

before her death a biopsy was sent to a medical team in Belgium, who had some expertise in the area.

But after undergoing some treatment in London Claire suffered a collapsed lung, and had to undergo surgery.

In one of Claire's last Facebook posts on August 7 she shared a link to a You Caring fundraising page that has since raised more than £5,000.

She wrote: "As most of you are aware I was diagnosed with cancer in February this year.

"I have been meaning to update people on my situation lately and it was easier to do it in one space.

"Hope this explains a lot. Feel free to ask me anything as I am dealing with the situation much better now the initial shock has worn off."