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Senator Edward Kennedy unleashed high emotions and a surge of adrenalin on the opening night of Barack Obama's nominating convention by delivering a powerful speech in Denver less than two months after having brain surgery for a malignant brain tumour.

The liberal lion of the Democratic party and brother of the late John F Kennedy reduced many in Denver's Pepsi Centre to tears with a powerful call to arms on behalf of Mr Obama, after a day in which there were doubts that his dire health would allow him to even take the stage. The original plan had been for him simply to watch a filmed tribute to his life and legislative achievements in the US Senate, where he has served since 1962.

Mr Kennedy, a beloved and hugely respected figure among Democrats, walked slowly to the podium besuited and looking surprisingly healthy, the almost bald patch on the left side of his head the only clue of the dangerous and invasive brain surgery he underwent in June.

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“My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, it is so wonderful to be here. And nothing is going to keep me away from this special gathering tonight," he began, to huge cheers and thousands of waving "Kennedy" banners.

He was introduced by his niece, Caroline Kennedy - President John Kennedy's daughter - who began her remarks referring to her father, her uncle and Mr Obama.

“Leaders like them come along rarely. But once or twice in a lifetime, they come along just when we need them the most. I have never had someone inspire me the way people tell me my father inspired them, but I do now, Barack Obama.”

His voice quavering at times, but still with its trademark boom, Mr Kennedy vowed to return to the US Senate in January. He referred to his late brother several times, as he sought to compare his youth and promise when he came to office in 1961 with Mr Obama today.

In a reference to his late brother's 1960 inaugural address, Mr Kennedy said: "This November the torch will be passed again to a new generation of Americans." He added: "There is a new wave of change all around us, and if we set our compass through we will reach our destination."

Then, echoing perhaps the greatest speech of his own career - his concession to Jimmy Carter at the 1980 Democratic convention - he declared: "The work begins anew. The hope shall rise again. And the dream lives on."

On May 20, doctors announced that Mr Kennedy has a malignant glioma, a type of cancerous brain tumour, for which he has also undergone chemotherapy. His doctors have not publicly released a prognosis, but experts say that the average survival rate for patients is 15 months.

Mr Kennedy's appearance roused what has so far been a slightly meandering opening evening, with all eyes now on the major event of the night: the speech by Michelle Obama. There appeared to be no clear message after a series of speakers. "If this party has a message, they're doing a hell of a job of hiding it," said James Carville, Bill Clinton's former strategist.

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