A SHOWBUSINESS legend has left a legacy to a local charity close to his heart.

Family and friends of singer and impressionist Joe Longthorne MBE, who passed away last August aged 64, are gifting more than £880 to Rosemere Cancer Foundation to spend on making patient areas at Rosemere Cancer Centre more comfortable and relaxing.

Their donation was raised through a Go Fund Me page that was set up by Joe's partner of 25 years Rita Lamey, his sister Ann and family friend Simon Woolston.

Ms Lamey said: “Joe received his MBE for services to charity and throughout his career had always worked to raise money for cancer charities and charities supporting the hard of hearing. Joe was the kind of man who would give you his last penny.”

Mr Longthorne had himself suffered from cancer. In 1987 he was diagnosed with lymphoma and in 2014 with mouth cancer.

Four other cancer units - several of which cared for Mr Longthorne during his illnesses - will receive a share of more than £4000.