A FORMER beauty queen with terminal cancer was joined by a string of volunteers when she embarked on a charity walk.

Judie Williams, a former Miss Hartlepool, was hailed as an inspiration to others after arranging the event in the town.

The 18 walkers collected £380 on the day. When sponsorship is collected, it is hoped the walk will have raised about £1,500 for the Royal Marsden Hospital, in London, which specialises in cancer care.

Mother-of-two Ms Williams, from Hartlepool, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2002.