A new cancer information and support service will be launched this week, a year after the death of the woman who inspired it.

Macmillan Cancer Support has teamed up with Durham PCT and Durham County Council to launch The Health Information Points project to bring cancer information and support to six libraries as well as providing outreach sessions to support people in their own communities.

The service will be officially launched by Councillor Michele Hodgson portfolio holder for Corporate Services, Libraries and Culture at 11am on Friday 28 September at Clayport Library, Durham.

The service is the legacy of librarian June Taylor, South Stanley, who - after being diagnosed with cancer herself - realised the lack of information and support available for people affected by cancer in smaller communities.

June campaigned for funding to bring cancer information and support to three libraries in her area but unfortunately died before seeing the results of her hard work.

Cllr Hodgson said " Durham County Council is proud to work in partnership with Macmillan and the PCT to help support people affected by cancer , access in their local library to relevant supportive information is crucial when people are trying to come to terms with living with cancer."

Macmillan information and support services adviser Pam Ramaswamy said: "Macmillan knows that clear, concise information and helpful, sensitive advice are vital in helping people cope with cancer. We are delighted to be working with Durham County Council and PCT to bring this valuable service to the area.

"Having the service in friendly, non-clinical environments is a great way to make information and support more readily available to anybody affected by cancer. It's great that as a partnership we've been able to take forward June Taylor's vision and I think the service will go from strength to strength."

The libraries involved in The Health Information Points project Annfield Plain, Barnard Castle, Blackhall, Clayport, Coundon and Thornley and further information about the service can be found there.

Macmillan has given £50,000 to the project to fund equipment like furniture, information leaflets and books. Three Macmillan information and Support managers will also deliver the outreach service.