PEOPLE whose lives have been touched by cancer joined forces for a festive event.

Steepleview Memorial Hall, in Willowfield, Laindon, was filled with stalls selling personalised handbags, jewellery, books and hand-made decorations in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Face painting kept young v i s - itors entertained, while there was also the chance to win prizes including cinema tickets, meal vouchers, beauty treatments and garden furniture.

The even was organised by Natalie Deacon, 37, after she lost her father, Peter Whitcombe, 60, to cancer three months ago.

He battled leukaemia for two years and was also actively involved in fundraising himself.