Two lifelong friends from St Keverne have joined forces to fundraise after both being supported by the same cancer treatment centre - just 20 years apart.

Mandy Norton and Kathryn Carey raised £2,152 for the Mermaid Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

Having been friends throughout their whole life, Kathryn was there for Mandy when she was diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago - and now the roles have reversed, after Kathryn was herself diagnosed last year.

Mandy said: "I have always wanted to raise money and say thank you to the team who helped me through such a difficult time 20 years ago but time just got away with me. Then when my dearest friend Kathryn got diagnosed in June 2016 we knew our time to act was now."

A sold out 1970s-themed ladies' night and pudding party was held in St Keverne Village Hall in January, raising the impressive amount.

Kathryn said: “The support we received from the whole village was overwhelming, Ladies danced all night long, ate pudding and had such fun. We would like to thank Proper Job Disco who donated his DJ skills for free.”

Kathryn is still going through treatment and managed to join Mandy to present staff of the Mermaid Centre with the cheque. Sarah Zee and Jo Brand, both clinical nurse specialists in breast cancer, accepted it on behalf of the charity.

Sarah thanked "everyone in St Keverne who supported both Mandy and Kathryn," saying: "The money will help us so much within the Mermaid Centre. The fact that two lifelong friends have organised this after going through treatment at separate times is heart-warming.”

Jo added: “It was smashing to see Mandy again after I treated her 20 years ago. She is now being a wonderful support to her friend and we are here as always to do our bit. This just proved the Mermaid Centre has been providing excellent care for over 20 years and I’m so proud to have been a part of it.”

Both Mandy and Kathryn have sent a special "thank you" to everyone in the village who have supported and helped them for many years.

Mandy said: "People don’t realise how much their support means. Everyone was so generous 20 years ago and again today with Kathryn. The whole village came together to support this event, the mermaid centre and our own personal journeys. Thank you."