A BRAVE grandmother who beat cancer 18 months ago is planning a fundraiser for the dedicated band of nurses who helped her to survive.

Lorraine Riley, 47, found a lump in her left breast in February last year which was diagnosed as being cancerous.

She had a mastectomy as well as the removal of 15 lymph nodes from under her arm, some of which were also cancerous.

She is now in remission but still undergoes check ups every three months and will have to continue taking medication for the next five years.

The mother of three, with seven grandchildren, has never let the illness get her down and had already begun fundraising while undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

So far she has raised more than £4,000 and hopes the next event planned for Thursday October 18 will be just as successful.

This event is to tie in with National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October and all money raised is to go towards the cancer care nurses on ward four at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Lorraine, of Cross Street, Oswaldtwistle, has planned this latest fundraiser at James Street Club, Oswaldtwistle.

It will include entertainers Wendy Lee and Tommy Franks who have volunteered their voices free of charge for the evening.

There will also be a raffle with prizes including an England football shirt, a huge teddy bear and a food hamper. Other goodies will also be auctioned off at the end of the evening.

Lorraine, a cashier with Glynn Webb in Blackburn Road, Accrington, before being diagnosed, said: "The cancer care nurses at Blackburn were fantastic to everyone and they play such an excellent role in supporting cancer victims.

"I feel I have been lucky and I have to put something back for that. I just want to say thank you to them for helping me when I was at my most vulnerable.

"You never think that it is going to happen to you, but it can, which is why women need to check their breasts regularly and go to their doctors if they are worried about anything.

Lorraine's family including her husband John, 50, and children Lee, 28, Scott, 25, and Carla, 21, are all helping to support the fundraiser.

They are distributing posters and selling tickets.

Tickets for the cabaret evening, which begins at 8pm, are £1.50 and are available direct from the club or by calling Lorraine on 01254 239137.