A borough cancer support centre has hosted a memory walk for patients and their families.

The event at Bury Cancer Support Centre saw more than 50 people of all ages walking the 2.6 mile route around Bury town centre each with a lantern in memory or to support family and friends going through cancer.

The centre is the only one of its kind in the North West and the event allowed families and patients time to share common experiences about going through cancer treatment as well as to remember loved ones.

Chair of trustees at the centre, Jeff Green, said: “We had one lady who has been to this memory walk all seven times now and two other ladies who have been five times.

“The benefit of this event is that patients and families come together as a group, and they’re either remembering people who have passed away from cancer or they are assisting people who have cancer.

“It's very difficult to walk through the door of any drop-in centre, it’s a big thing deciding who to turn to when you’ve got cancer.

“We had the tent set up in the garden and everyone had glowsticks and lanterns - it was 2.6 miles the entire walk and it was far enough when older people and children are walking too.”

The centre is celebrating its 21st year since it began offering support in 2003 and organisers hope that the event will encourage people looking for support following a cancer diagnosis to contact the charity.

The facility on Bolton Road gives advice to patients and carers to suit their needs and offers counselling, hypnotherapy, relaxation classes, gentle tai chi, yoga, as well as walking and gardening groups.

Bury-based IT company Green Cloud Hosting sponsored the event and the walkers raised £1,300 for the centre.

Mr Green added: “Money raised goes towards things like the therapies, ensuring that we have the right therapy beds, all the things in the kitchen.

"There are all bits and pieces that go with running a building.

“Sometimes we have to buy in services for people if we haven't got that certain expertise."

The centre has to raise £250,000 a year to continue offering support.