A COMMUNITY-SPIRITED woman from Bromsgrove will don her dancing shoes and step to the beat at a charity function in memory of her late mother and grandmother.

Karen Banner, proprietor of Pleck Stores, in Crabtree Lane, Sidemoor, will host the charity event, in aid of Cancer Research UK, at the Spadesbourne Suite, in Burcot Lane, on Friday August 9.

The Crabtree Lane resident, who attends line dancing lessons at Dawn McCormick's dance studio in Droitwich, decided to raise money for the registered charity after her mum and grandmother fell prey to the potentially fatal disease in 2000.

Her grandmother, Elizabeth Phillips, a former Broad Street resident, died from breast cancer in April 2000, 15 years after having a masectomy.

It was a double blow for Karen though because three weeks later her mum, Margaret Dodds from Stoke Prior, was also diagnosed with the same illness and died in the same year.

Karen, 51, said: "I was devastated. In a matter of months cancer had wiped out two generations of my family.

"But I refused to give up and decided to raise money to help find drugs and treatments to cure and control the illness."

The charity event will kick off at 7pm with a sixties quiz and disco, a raffle and tombola.

The star attraction will be Magill, featuring two of the most wanted performers on the line dance scene, Derek Darby and guitarist Dave Marr.

They aim to bring line dancers and those with no experience to their feet.

All proceeds will help fund clinical trials currently being carried out in Birmingham.

"I'm delighted with the support I've received.

"The dance school and local clubs have been fantastic.

"I'm hoping to raise as much money as possible for the charity," Karen added.

Tickets are £5 with further details on 01527 579486.