A PUB landlady, who was diagnosed with cancer four years ago, is planning to throw a party to raise cash for The Cancer Research Campaign.

And she is battling to win her fight against the deadly disease in time to walk up the aisle with her childhood sweetheart later this year.

Mum-of-three Kath Banford, 41, is holding a fancy dress night on Saturday (July 28) at The Belle Vue, in New Hall Lane, Preston, from 7.30pm, to raise cash for the charity.

"We want to raise as much as we can and hope people turn up in droves to support us," Kath said.

This is a charity that is close to Kath's heart and has been a huge support in her battle against throat cancer.

After losing her voice four years ago Kath went to the doctors believing she needed antibiotics for a throat infection. But she was horrified when her GP referred her to hospital where she was diagnosed with pre-malignant throat cancer. Specialists at the Royal Preston Hospital admitted Kath for life-saving treatment to scrape her voice box and she was put on a course of steroids for six months.

After being given the all-clear two years ago Kath was ready to live a 'normal' life again and was devastated when doctors told her last year that the disease had returned.

Now the brave grandmother-of-one has two-monthly treatments and hopes to make a full recovery in time for her wedding to Terry Haydock on October 20. The couple met when they were pupils at Ribbleton Hall High School. Terry, 41, is no stranger to the disease after his brother died of leukaemia aged nine.

They have invited a special friend to the special 'thank-you' event -- pub regular Brenda McDaid, 60, who had a mastectomy after battling breast cancer.

A spokesman for The Cancer Research Campaign said the charity annually spends £8m in the North West to fund work to find a cure for the disease.

He added: "As we don't receive any government funding we rely entirely on the generosity of the general public and people like Kath."