FRIENDS and relatives of a woman battling cancer are planning a season of fundraising to raise money for research into the disease.

Nic Noble, 41, of Warminster, has watched her sister Vanessa Kyte fight against lung and breast cancer over the past four years.

Marvelling at her younger sister's bravery in raising money for other sufferers in the face of her own illness, Mrs Noble decided to kick-start fundraising events with a 15-mile walk around Warminster.

Recruiting friends from her Diamonds fundraising group, Mrs Noble organised a charity walk around the town and surrounding villages on December 28, to raise money for the Royal United Hospital's cancer wing.

Now both sisters are planning a 200-mile trek in March.

Mrs Kyte and Mrs Noble will call on businesses throughout the Bath hospital's catchment area appealing for cash.

In May, they plan to take part in the Playtex Moonwalk in London for the second time, to raise money for national charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Bristol Cancer Help Centre.

Mrs Noble, of Luxfield Road, said her sister's bravery had inspired this latest drive.

She said: "I think Vanessa is the brave one but we all want to raise as much money as we can so there is cash going into research to combat this disease. That is my way of coping. It is an issue very close to our hearts.

"I organised the walk in Warminster while Vanessa was away on holiday, but we are taking part in fundraising events together throughout this year."

Mrs Kyte, of Rudge, has already donated £4,300 to the RUH cancer wing after running last year's Bath half- marathon.

In June, she backed a music concert aimed at increasing awareness of the disease held at the Civic Hall in Trowbridge.

Mrs Kyte was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and had a double mastectomy to try to fight the disease.

Just months after the operation doctors told her the cancer had spread to her lungs.

Speaking to the Wiltshire Times in June she said: "Most people think breast cancer is something that happens to women in their 50s. But increasingly younger women are being diagnosed so there needs to be greater awareness."

Latest statistics estimate 13,000 women die from breast cancer every year.