TWO Oswaldtwistle women are set to visit the Great Wall of China to help a cancer charity.

Joanne Clegg and Emma Dixon have to raise £3,000 each for the Cancer Research organisation, in order to take part in a 10-day adventure along the famous wall.

Joanne, 23, of Hargreaves Road, attended Hollins Technology College, in Accrington, but now works at the BMW Bowker showroom in Accrington. She said: "In China, we'll walk eight to 10 miles a day, and cover about 60 miles in total. Our walk will involve an ascent of 13,500 ft, which is a fair climb."

Emma, 26, of Aspen Fold, attended Mount Carmel High School, Clayton-le-Moors, and works for retail merchandise firm Momentum, in Stockport.

They have organised a number of fund-raising events in recent months to raise the necessary money for charity, and are meeting their own individual travel costs of £1,000 from their own savings.

And the most recent was a James Bond fancy dress party in Oswaldtwistle at the weekend.

A sum of £600 was raised at the party, which was held at the home of friend Janine Dewar, of Hargreaves Road.

Among the entertainment was a sponsored chest hair-waxing session, carried out on pal Mark Cassidy.

They both met through their boyfriends, David Anderton and Steven Slater, who are also from Oswaldtwistle.

And the two men are due to have their hairy chests treated with hot wax, at a future event to further boost the proceeds.

Emma's mother, the late Marie King, died from cancer 15 years ago. And she said Joanne has also lost relatives to the disease.

"Cancer Research is just a very worthy cause. It does lots of good work," Emma emphasised.

"Our next event is a music night to be held at the Poplar Club in Accrington, which will include the Accy Rockers band, and music from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

"Again, it'll be a fancy dress night and we hope people will come suitably dressed in styles from one of those decades."

She said training is under way for the Great Wall of China trip, which will be undertaken with other Cancer Research supporters.

Offers of sponsorship or help are welcome, and can be put to Emma on 01254 392997.