A GROUP of women from the Three Towns have banded together to raise awareness of breast cancer - by shooting and publishing their own calendar.

Funds raised from the calendar will go towards Breast Cancer UK - the only UK charity focused on the prevention of breast cancer by campaigning to reduce risk through lifestyle and reduced chemical exposure.

The local women came up with the calendar idea after breast cancer played its part and took its toll on their lives.

One group member has survived breast cancer and two are currently fighting the disease.

Organiser Shirley Templeton told the Herald: “Ive got family and friends who have died and survived fighting breast cancer and I thought that it would be a nice thing if it was local women who took part in a calendar for Breast Cancer UK.

“We’ve got sponsors from a good few local businesses as well who will be advertised on the calendar, and we’ve got an amateur photographer, Lee Barraclough, who is doing an absolutely fantastic job.

“We’re still doing the photos - we’ve done four out of the 12 women and we’re taking pre sale orders at the moment.

“I just wanted to make sure that people and my friends and my family who are fighting it know that there is hope.”

A Breast Cancer UK spokesperson said: “We’d like to say a big thank you to Shirley and all the ladies involved in producing this wonderful calendar.

"We are so grateful to all our fundraisers.

“One in seven women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in the lives.

"Our work to prevent breast cancer is vital if we are to reduce the number of people being diagnosed.

“The money raised from the sale of the calendars will help our scientists conduct world-class animal free research and help us share our prevention tips with more people.

“Together we can help loved ones reduce their risk of breast cancer.”

Breast cancer affects almost 56,000 people in the UK each year according to Cancer Research UK.

Once published, the calendars can be bought from local stores including Bar 1, Bobby’s Bar, The Handyman, Clyde Kilts and Clyde Studio.

To donate to the group visit fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/shirleys-giving-page-149.