TWO women who have raised thousands of pounds for cancer research over the last 30 years are off to Buckingham Palace for a royal garden party.

Rita Flynn and Marion Walsh, members of the Darwen branch of the Cancer Research Campaign, will be honoured on Thursday.

They will be guests of the Queen, patron of the charity.

Denise Morgan, of Cancer Research said: "These dedicated women have done splendid work and raised thousands.

"They have also considerably raised the profile of the charity in the area."

Rita Flynn said: "We are very excited and honoured."

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