A CHARITY night in memory of a Blackburn mum of two who died of cancer raised more than £6,000 for breast cancer research.

Michelle Hilton lost her six-and-a-half-year battle against breast cancer in September. The 37-year-old had campaigned for the right to be given the life-enhancing drug Herceptin after initially being told the East Lancashire Health Authority would not fund it.

The Christie Hospital, in Manchester, where Michelle was a patient, eventually agreed to fund the drug, but she died before she was prescribed it.

Despite her tragic situation, husband Barrie said the fundraising night, held at the Oak Tree pub in Livesey Branch Road, was not a night for mourning.

Barrie, of Beechwood Drive, said: "It was a great night and it was a celebration if Michelle's life. She loved life and it was a tribute to her, she would have been very proud."

Local band The Burn -- friends of Michelle and Barrie's -- performed at the pub, straight from supporting Manchester superstars Oasis. Sales of the £10 tickets went towards the total amount raised, plus an auction of star-studded memorabilia.

Among the items that were up for grabs were a signed Oasis record and a painting by Beatles' producer Sir George Martin.

But the item that generated the most interest -- and the most cash -- was a pair of football boots signed by Manchester United and England ace David Beckham, which sold for £800.

All the money raised will be donated to the Breakthrough for Breast Cancer campaign.

Friends of Michelle, who helped organise the event, also handed in a petition with more than 6,500 names to Blackburn MP Jack Straw.

They hope the MP will pass on the petition to Health Secretary Alan Milburn in the bid to make Herceptin more widely available.