A GROUP of fundraisers have raised more than £5,000 to support cancer research projects in the North West.

More than 60 people gathered at the Country Harvest, near Ingleton, for the auction of promises, helping to raise £5,050 for North West Cancer Research.

Guests bid on more than 60 lots, including hampers, weekends away, meals, theatre tickets and cookery days, all of which were been donated by local businesses and supporters of the charity.

Mike Clark, owner of Country Harvest who provided the venue free of charge, said: “It was a great night and there were some wonderful prizes. We are proud to support North West Cancer Research and thank local organisers Wendy Hadwin and Brenda Head for all their hard work and putting on a fantastic event.”

Money raised will support research such as a three-year project headed by Dr Nikki Copeland which looks at cell division and DNA replication in human cells.

It is hoped this research will identify differences between cancerous cells and normal tissues, with the long term goal of developing new therapeutic targets.

It will also help fund the next generation of research scientists. North West Cancer Research has agreed to fund six summer studentships at Lancaster University over the next two years, the first three of which will start next month.

Organiser Wendy Hadwin who has been raising money for the Mansergh committee of North West Cancer Research for more than 40 years, said: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity and support we received from local businesses and residents who came together to raise thousands for North West Cancer Research, which is an incredible achievement for a small parish."