Groups of friends and family members are being encouraged to take part in a 24-hour fundraising event coming to Helston, raising money to fight cancer.

Teams taking part in Cancer Research UK's Relay for Life will be encouraged to fundraise over the course of a year, leading up to a final event taking place all day and night, to show that cancer never sleeps.

Sophie Barber, Cancer Research UK’s local fundraising manager for Cornwall, said: "Teams, cancer survivors, their carers and volunteers come together to take part in a 24-hour Relay For Life event to show that together, we’re stronger than cancer.

"Participants take it in turns to walk laps of a track, all day and all night to show cancer never sleeps."

The plan is to hold the celebratory fundraising relay in June next year, at a location in Helston still to be confirmed.

Before then, however, the charity hopes that teams will sign up to raise funds in the lead up.

Sophie added: “Helston is a perfect location for one of Cancer Research UK’s Relay for Life events. The sense of community here is so strong and I can’t wait to see what this town can achieve.

"Relay for Life can unite your local community by celebrating survivors, remembering loved ones and fighting back."

A group of volunteers is already onboard helping organise the event, but a couple more are still needed.

To help out, or to register interest in taking part, call Sophie on 07788 364569 or email Sophie.barber@cancer.org.uk.

Figures show that one in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives, but survival rates have doubled since the early 1970s.