A group of women who survived cancer meet every month to support each other and have fun.

The Hyndburn-based Moving On group was set up in 2010 by around 20 ladies who had surgery for breast cancer.

They all had 12 weeks of therapy at Rossendale Hospice and, when this finished, formed a group to carry on meeting and supporting one another.

They met on the first Friday of each month at the hospice for around 18 months and, when the hospice discontinued the group, branched out on their own.

They still hold their monthly Friday meetings, but pick a different venue or activity each time.

There are now 18 members and their recent excursions have included meals out, playing golf, and going to horse racing, the theatre and the cinema, with plans to try sausage-making next.

Founding member Ann McDermott, 75, of Baxenden, said: “Our group has stuck together. We have lost three people over the years, but we’ve got some wonderful friendships.

“It is great support - you can talk to friends and family, but if they haven’t been there it’s not the same.

“We have a set of fantastic people, and we’ve all been in that scary position.

“It’s been exciting, we arrange something and we are all looking forward to it. We’ve done all sorts, so much I couldn’t even say.

“We’ve been to murder mysteries, done the Cancer Research Relay for Life - we are even going sausage-making.”

The group holds events to raise money for charity throughout the year, and still meet on the first Friday of each month. Members range in age from their 40s to 70s, and new members are welcome.

Ann, of Warmden Avenue, said: “Anyone is welcome - we are all ladies, all cancer survivors, primarily breast cancer, but it’s not exclusive.”

The Moving On women met at All Saints Grange Bowling Club, in Clayton-le-Moors, for a bowling event earlier this month.

“They played against club members, held a raffle and enjoyed tea, coffee and biscuits together, raising £155 for Cancer Research UK.

Ann said: “It was a great event, lots of the bowling club members came along, plus people came along to watch.

“The tea ladies came to do refreshments and we held a raffle, then we had a meal at Monte Cristo to round the evening off.”

For more information, call Ann on 07776 222306.