PEOPLE across Swindon are being asked to sit back, have a cup of coffee and relax while they help raise money for charity.

On September 28, hundreds of organisations and businesses will be sipping at the black stuff as part of Macmillan Cancer Support's World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

And Swindon Macmillan fundraiser Graziella Campisano wants as many people from the town to take part as possible.

"People are always really creative with their ideas, but it doesn't have to be anything elaborate," she said.

"You can just have your normal morning cup of coffee or tea at work with your colleagues and all donate £1.

"Or, if you don't like coffee, you could have a smoothie morning.

"It can be as simple as you want to make it. It is just about having a drink with friends."

Last year £64,000 was raised across Wiltshire on the day, with £20,000 being raised in Swindon alone.

The charity is hoping to smash that total this year and raise £25,000 in the town, and £76,000 in the county as a whole.

So far 250 people have registered to take part in this year's event.

Among those taking part is Cheryl Parker who is inviting Chiseldon residents to her Station Road home to sip on their favourite blend.

Her door will be open from 9am until noon on September 28.

The residents of Laurel Court, Stratton, who have raised £6,500 for the charity in recent years, will also be holding a coffee morning.

The Swindon Designer Outlet is making a £2,000 donation to the cause and several of their cafes and restaurants will be taking part on the day, either giving a percentage of their taking or offering coffee for donations.

"The support in Swindon is always fantastic, but we would like even more people to take part this year," said Graziella.

"And with places like the Designer Outlet taking part you don't have to organise it yourself."

Intel, Nationwide and npower are sponsoring the charity event.

Anyone interested in holding a coffee morning can register by calling 0845 602 1246 or online at www.macmillan.org.uk.