A Falmouth based cancer charity which has supported local people for seven years has opened a new cafe by its next to its fitness centre by the Penryn River.

Pants Cancer, set up by founder Jeanette Preston in 2009 to help people who have been diagnosed with cancer in the pants, area including gynaecological, testicular, bowel, bladder, and anal, has added the new facility to an existing range which includes two shops and a retail hub.

The new cafe at Waterside House, Penryn, will provide a quiet cafe and will be running a series of themed evenings in the coming months, and the site will also host a new shop which will mainly focus on musical items.

Jeanette, who had the idea for the charity while recovering from womb cancer, said: "It's the latest development from Pants Cancer, which started in a small way in 2009 in our Killigrew shop and has grown and grown.

"We fund a cancer rehabilitation programme, which encourages people who are recovering from cancer. And we're taking part in some amazing research which is being carried out, including at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, which is looking at recovery from womb cancer."

Jeanette said the new site would have "all sorts of events," starting with a Spanish evening complete with flamenco music and dancing and Spanish cuisine, with similar Italian and African nights to follow.

She added: "We are encouraging the university to come and gig it up, because there's nobody around they can make as much noise as they want. All the university bands will come down and give it a blast.

"We are trying to contact the young people, because they are particularly vulnerable to these cancers and they are not aware of it."

The new cafe is next to the existing therapy centre, which provides access to gym equipment for people in rehabilitation following cancer treatment, as well as offering complimentary therapy and sports massage.

Peter Callen, former gynae cancer surgeon at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, was at the launch on Friday. He said: "I think it's all credit to Jeanette for what she has achieved in setting up and running the Pants charity, which provides a good service for for the community."

Tito Lopes, also a retired gynae cancer specialist and Pants Cancer supporter, added: "It's a continuing achievement, with the Pants charity raising money for educating women through the web pages, but also raising money to support research that's being undertaken at the Royal Cornwall Hospital into gynae cancer."

Current opening hours for the cafe will be Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.