A MUM-of-two says she will forever be indebted to Australian celebrity Peter Andre and his 60 Minute Makeover team for giving her the best surprise of her life.

Laura Flaherty began redecorating her house on Hope Street, Leigh, a year ago but had not got very far when a biopsy following a smear test revealed she had cervical cancer and the 31-year-old was forced to have a hysterectomy.

Her partner Ryan Pennington, 33, nominated Laura for the TV programme and she was overwhelmed on Thursday to be greeted by one of her childhood crushes and a totally transformed home upon her return from work.

Laura said: "It is like I have been in a whirlwind since Thursday.

“I remember getting to the house and there being lots of people outside clapping me when we pulled up in the car.

“I wanted the ground to swallow me up at that point and then I noticed Peter Andre outside the car looking at me.

"I screamed in his face – I was so surprised.

“I think every woman in their early 30s now had a crush on him when they were growing up.

“When I got out the car and saw all the 60 Minute Makeover T-shirts people were wearing the fog lifted and I realised what everyone was there for.”

The show on new free-to-air TV channel Quest Red sees a team of DIY experts give houses a new look in just an hour.

Homeowners are nominated for a makeover by friends and family and their house is transformed while they are out and oblivious to the work being done.

Show host Peter, a singer, songwriter, presenter and TV personality, said: "I'm so excited to be back filming 60 Minute Makeover and it was great to be in Leigh, surprising Laura with a much deserved home makeover.

"I can't wait for everyone to see it when the show goes out on Quest Red."

Laura, who has two children – Alex, seven, and Violet, three – with Ryan, added: "Peter was so lovely and I am indebted forever to the work that he and his team have done to my house.

“I am always busy with work so it is difficult to find the time to get any decorating done.

“Due to what happened last year I could not bear to finish off the corner of the living room that I had started because it brought back such bad memories for me."

She is now in remission and gives up a lot of her spare time and energy volunteering for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, a charity dedicated to helping women with the disease.

Laura works at the Amazon Aquatics shop in Leigh and helps to run a toddlers' group at Leigh St John’s CE Primary School.

She is also a member of the Kirkhall Lane school's parent teacher association.

A spokesman for 60 Minute Makeover, which used to be on ITV, said: "Her capacity and energy to help others is a constant inspiration to friends and family alike.

"She passionately believes in encouraging women to attend cervical screenings and personally counsels those affected as part of her charitable work."

Belinda Houghton, of St Helens Road, was amazed to see one of Australia's most famous imports in Leigh.

The 50-year-old said: "My mum lives opposite the house that the filming was taking place at.

“It is great to see someone as famous as Peter Andre come to Leigh.

“I have always been a big fan of his and it is good to see him helping someone who will benefit from the work of the show.”