STUDENTS and staff at a university are backing a drive to raise cash for cancer research.

About 100 undergraduates and staff at the University of Teesside are expected to join a mass exercise class to be staged on the Middlesbrough campus on Thursday in aid of Cancer Research UK's breast cancer campaign.

Anne-Marie Wadsworth, of the university's students' union, said: "We wanted to do something fun that would help raise awareness and funds for research along the way.

"More women are surviving breast cancer than ever before thanks to research, better treatments and earlier detection.

"Many students will know someone who has been affected by cancer.

"We are hoping to raise about £500 from our aerobics event and we will be asking for donations for Cancer Research UK's wristbands and pinkie rings."

Cancer Research UK puts more than £20m every year into all aspects of research into breast cancer, from investigating its causes to finding new and better treatments.

Julia Haran, a spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, said: "We are very grateful to the Students' Union at the University of Teesside for all the time and effort they are putting into supporting Cancer Research UK."

To find out more about the All Women Together initiative and register for a fundraising pack, go to www.cancerresearchuk.org/breastcancer.

People can also telephone the North-East fundraising office on 0191-281 8288.