BUSINESSES have been coming together ahead of a march to raise awareness of cancer today.

Those in Bishop Auckland have been decking out their shops in different colours to represent different types of cancers ahead of a cancer awareness day.

Organised by Durham County Councillor for Bishop Auckland, Joy Allen, the day is designed to increase the take-up of free screening service and to help make Bishop Auckland the healthiest town in the county by promoting the various cancers in their businesses.

The march will begin at the Newgate Centre, in Bishop Auckland, at noon and be followed by a short service at St Anne's Church, in the market place for anyone affected by the disease.

Cllr Allen said: “I want Bishop Auckland to become a healthy town and want us all to do all we can to ‘kick cancer out of our town’ and we can make a massive start of being the best rather than one of the worst simply by taking up the free screening services offered such as breast, cervical and bowel."