A NEW cancer support service is being launched in Rossendale this week.

Anyone in East Lancs who has been diagnosed with cancer or who knows someone who has can attend an introductory day to the new service at Cribden House, Rossendale Hospital, on Thursday from 10am to 2pm.

Local cancer support nurses are behind the project, which is aimed at providing a wide range of support, information and advice to people with a recent cancer diagnosis.

The cancer unit specialist nurses and other professionals will be on hand to meet patients, partners and carers.

The service is free and refreshments will be provided.

One of the organisers, Dorothy Mitchell, said: "There will be an opportunity to meet the cancer specialist nurses, the dietician and other related professionals.

"There will be taster sessions of the complementary therapies and other educational and diversional interventions that will form part of the ten week rolling programme."

Anyone living in East Lancashire may attend and it is not necessary to be referred in the first instance by a GP.

Dorothy added: "This initiative is aimed at improving cancer services in east Lancashire and viewed by the cancer teams as a positive contribution towards the improved health and wellbeing of cancer sufferers that will add value to successful treatment regimes."