Collecting more than £42,000 in aid of fighting cancer, as well working as an active anti-smoker campaign has earned a woman an honour from Cancer Research.

Mary Regan, from Twickenham, has been awarded with a special commendation in the Ambassador of the Year category of Cancer Research's Flame of Hope Awards.

She was presented with her prize at the Cancer Research's Richmond shop, last Tuesday.

She said: "I am delighted and terribly proud of what I have achieved.

But the award is not just for me its for all the people who have supported me and who have worked closely with me, like the St Margarets traders and former MP, Vince Cable."

Mrs Regan has been successfully promoting Cancer Research campaigns within schools, local shops and businesses for many years.

Having seen the extent in which cancer affects adults and children and having five generations of her own family affected by the disease, Mrs Regan set up William's Group and has raised £42,110.42 towards a target of £100,000.

She said: "I still have a long way to go and many more events planned for the next few months. I am hoping to hit my half way mark of £50,000 by the new year."

She has also contributed towards a number of initiatives, including the campaign for plain cigarette packaging in the UK.

The Williams Group is currently auctioning two pieces of sports memorabilia, a signed Dan Carter New Zealand rugby shirt and a cricket bat signed by Australian legend, Ricky Ponting.

To enquire email Mrs Regan on maryregan@blueyonder.co.uk.