An Oxford Mail journalist has been made patron of a charity fighting to prevent breast cancer.

Deputy magazines and supplements editor Denise Barkley, (46), was asked to take on the role for Harwell-based charity Against Breast Cancer after supporting the organisation for seven years.

Denise, whose own mother died from breast cancer 22 years ago at the age 55, said: "My first contact with them was when I interviewed one of the fundraisers through my job on the Oxford Mail women's team.

"I just kept in contact with her and ABC. It is a community charity struggling among a plethora of big national breast cancer charities and I've done my best to promote the work they do.

"I was touched and moved when they asked me to be a patron."

Fundraising by the charity supports vital research into breast cancer, which 38,000 UK women are diagnosed with every year.

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