Heather Mills has revealed she had a cancer scare before Christmas after doctors discovered a tumour at the top of her amputated leg.

I was hospitalised five times in 2011 because of my skiing

The former wife of Sir Paul McCartney was alerted to the problem after suffering an injury while skiing.

Ms Mills, 44, who is soon to race for the British Disabled Ski Team, told Hello! magazine of her relief that the lump proved to be benign.

She said: “An MRI scan picked up a tumour in the top of my left leg, which is the same one I had amputated below the knee.

“I had to go back into the MRI machine and they put a dye into it. Doctors said the tumour had been there for some time. It all happened very quickly. Thankfully, it was all fine. Doctors told me the it was benign not cancerous.”

The campaigner – who lost a leg almost 20 years ago – began working with the disabled team a year ago after her potential as a racer was spotted.

She is to take part in a giant slalom race on Thursday in the Austrian leg of the International Paralympic Committee Alpine Skiing European Cup.

But she has had to endure a catalogue of injuries over the past few months.

“I was hospitalised five times in 2011 because of my skiing.

Ms Mills said of her forthcoming race: “It is very exciting. I’m over the moon.

“There will be 100 of us racing. A top 10 finish would be fantastic, but I am hoping to get into the top five and dream of making the podium.

“I’ve always been sporty and wondered what it is like to represent your country and ultimately compete in the Olympics.”