A FARMER'S wife who was helped back to health by Macmillan Cancer Relief is holding a fundraising fashion show at her home to say thank you.

Dottie Benson became a big fan of Macmillan when she was recovering from breast cancer.

"I have the highest admiration for Macmillan nurses, they were really marvellous when I was ill," said Mrs Benson, who with her husband, Jonathan, produce apple juice at their farm at Lanchester, County Durham.

Now she has decided to do her bit for the Macmillan County Durham Appeal by throwing her home open to followers of fashion.

The Spring Fashion Show at Shotley Hall will feature clothes by Fenwick of Newcastle, The House at Yarm, Get Ahead hats and jewellery by Marguerite Todd.

BBC television presenter Carol Malia, who is well known to viewers of Look North, will be the guest of honour at the 11am ticket-only event on April 24, which is followed by a buffet lunch.

Macmillan is well on the way to raising the £600,000 needed to transform support services for patients with cancer in the county. The charity passed the halfway mark recently after a series of fundraising events.

Caroline Peacock, fundraiser with the Macmillan County Durham Appeal, said: "Dottie has kindly volunteered to help us raise funds to improve cancer services in the county, which is a wonderful gesture on her part.

"If you would like to support this event please get in touch."

Tickets at £36 are available by sending an SAE containing a cheque made payable to the Macmillan Durham Appeal to Macmillan Durham Appeal, 1 Frederick Street South, Meadowfield, Durham, DH7 8LZ.

For more information about the appeal, call 0191-378 1188.