WHEN Sharon Thomas was diagnosed with breast cancer it came as a great shock to all her family, but loyal sister-in-law Sue Ingham decided to do more than offer words of comfort.

Sue, from Gresham Street, Waterfoot, told her: "When you start losing your hair I will lose mine too."

Sharon, 32, of Waterfoot, is currently undergoing chemotherapy at Burnley General Hospital for her cancer and her treatment will last 18 weeks.

Although Sharon's hair hasn't started to fall yet, Asda in Rawtenstall, where Sue works as a cleaner for Ace Cleaning Company, is holding a Tickled Pink day tomorrow to raise money for the Breast Cancer Care Charity.

And so Sue decided to have her head shaved during the event while her sister-in-law and other family members look on in support.

Sue, 27, said: "Sharon has her ups and downs, good days and bad days, and we are all giving her a lot of moral support.

"It came as a great shock to everyone when she was diagnosed and she has bought headscarves in readiness for when she loses her hair.

"I have sponsor forms in work and I carry one around with me for family and colleagues to sign and I am hoping to raise a couple of hundred pounds.

"My partner Andrew Myrtle thinks I am simple but has still sponsored me. My step-daughter Leanne, 11, also thinks I am simple and my daughters Samantha, five, and Jessica, three, are a bit too young to understand just what is going to happen.

"I just keep telling everybody that it will regrow, but I want to know what I am going to look like."

Sharon was full of praise for Sue's head shave and said: "I think it is brilliant. If she said she'll do it she will. I unfortunately have no choice in it.

"She is like a sister to me and I was taken aback when she suggested it but it is just the sort of thing she would do."

Sharon hopes once she is given the all-clear to be able to return to work as a care assistant at Holme Manor, Townsendfold.

Asda managers have agreed to put themselves in the stocks tomorrow from 11am and have water-laden wet sponges thrown at them for a donation of 50p.

At noon Sue will be having her head shaved and at 2pm another cleaner Nick Walton will be giving a karate demonstration wearing a pink wig along with other members of the Shotokan Karate Club, which he attends.

Organisers are hoping the event will raise more than £1,000 and anyone wanting to sponsor Sue can fill in a sponsor form at the store.