A MUM-OF-TWO from Royal Wootton Bassett who survived cancer will take part in the Race for Life at Lydiard Park with her daughters on May 20.

Ellen Woollaston-Cooper will run the 5km run for Cancer Research UK with nine-year-old Eloïse and her 11-year-old sister Amélie, spelling out the word 'MUM' with signs on their backs.

The 41-year-old was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2015 and had a mastectomy one month later.

Ellen said: “I’m so proud to sign up to Race for Life alongside my daughters and my husband Bryan will be there cheering us on too.

"We'll be taking part alongside our friends and forming Team Boobette to take on the 5k.

"Some will be running and others, like myself will be walking, but we;ll all be coming together to make a real difference and encourage others to highlight the importance of research into all cancers which affects so many of us.”

Michelle Leighton, Cancer Research UK’s Swindon event manager, said: “We are very grateful to Ellen, Eloise and Amelie, for their support.

“By following their lead and signing up to Race for Life, women in Swindon can make a real difference in the fight against cancer."

One in two people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives but the survival rate in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s.

Ellen revealed the moment she realised that she had the illness.

She added: “My suspicions came about when we went on a camping trip to France in August 2015. I had a shower one morning and noticed there was a difference in my nipples. In October, I noticed the same thing, then I lifted my arm and noticed there was dimpling under it.

“I am a very pragmatic person and at that point I knew I had cancer, so I saw my GP who sent me for a biopsy and mammogram and I knew before my consultant that I had the disease.

"It was something I had prepared myself for, I was told I needed a mastectomy on Friday December 11 and underwent the surgery on the Monday.

"I think the real shock came afterwards when I spoke to others who had cancer and thought of those that didn’t make it.

“Having been treated at the Great Western Hospital by a brilliant surgeon – Dr Chaudhry, who herself set up a support group for women like me - made a lot of difference.

"It’s thanks to research that I’m here and able to celebrate my life with my family and friends.

"My experience means I understand all too clearly why Cancer Research UK’s work is so important, so I’m urging women in Wiltshire to show their support and take on Race for Life because every participant can help make a real difference."

To enter, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770