KETTLES have been working overtime across East Lancashire with fund-raisers taking part in the world's biggest coffee morning event.

Pub-goers at the Inn on the Wharf in Burnley, urged on by organiser Helen Vanroose-Peer, swapped their usual tipple for a relaxing hot drink in aid of the annual Macmillan Nurses Appeal yesterday.

And Accrington Shopmobility and Abbey National staff in Blackburn and Darwen Community Centre all took part in the nationwide event.

Asda staff in Blackburn and Burnley, along with event co-ordinator Gillian Lingard, brewed up for to boost sponsorship funds.

There was also some serious clowning around at Althams Travel in Colne, when staff members, including Kimberley Honeyman, Marilyn Clifford, Angelina Wright, Marion Davis and Vicky Mara, dressed up to persuade customers to back the charity.

More events are planned across the area this weekend.

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning event is one of the Macmillan Nurses' Appeals' biggest annual fund-raisers.

And the generosity of East Lancashire folk meant that in September last year the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Macmillan Nurse Appeal reached another milestone.

An appeal was launched to raise £250,000 to fund two Macmillan nurses to support cancer patients in the area for three years.

Since then, more than £140,000 has been raised.