A regional TV reporter diagnosed with breast cancer in January has taken part in a charity run to raise funds to combat the disease.

Christine Talbot has spent the past two decades as a reporter and host for Calendar, the regional news programme in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

For ten years she has started the Leeds Race for Life event which Caldendar sponsors, but following the diagnosis she decided to take part this year.

And together with a 21-strong team – dubbed ‘Christine’s Friends’ – she helped raise £3,000 for Cancer Research UK.

The Wigan-born journalist, who started her career in local papers, said: “I was obviously devastated when I was told I had breast cancer and my only thought was that my daughter Beth was too young to be left without a mum.

“Beth is just 14 and I just wanted to see her to adulthood – for her to get to 19. Like all the women who took part in the event, this is my own Race For Life.”

Nicki Embleton, press manager for Cancer Research UK said: “Christine has been a special guest at the Leeds Race for Life for many years.

“To see her get up on stage this time and this time speak about her own battle with cancer was an extremely poignant and emotional moment which resonated throughout the crowd.”

•    To sponsor Christine, go to http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/christines-mates