BRAVE breast cancer survivors have raised £3,000 to help other women battling against the condition.

Breast Quest, a fundraising and support group founded by women who have been victims of the disease, collected the funds by holding a bag packing day at Marks and Spencer during the Christmas rush.

The cash will now be divided between the breast units at the Royal Bolton Hospital and Fairfield Hospital in Bury.

Friends Caroline Garside, aged 45, of Bromley Cross, and Louise Brooks, aged 43, of Bury, are founders of the group, which now has eight members.

Mum-of-one Caroline, of Chapeltown Road, was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2005.

She had a mastectomy, gruelling chemotherapy and radiotherapy, before having her breast reconstructed - all of which took more than 18 months.

Mrs Garside, who has a 17-year-old son, Josh, and is still having treatment in the form of tablets, said: "It's a long process, but both myself and my doctor are really pleased with how things are going."

Louise, of Cockey Moor Road, also had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is now close to completing a year of Herceptin treatment, which will help stop the disease from returning.

Mrs Garside, who is now fundraising full-time, said: "The other women in Breast Quest are so inspirational. We've all had breast cancer so we all know what the others are going through and can help each other in a way no-one else can.

"We all felt we needed to put something back, and rather than it just be me and Louise we all got together to share it between us. This was our first event, but we've got a lot more planned."

Breast Quest's next event will be a fundraising night on March 2 at Horwich RMI. Tickets are £10 and soul band Brassed Off will be appearing.

The group are always looking for new members, but these must be women who have had breast cancer.

For more information about fundraising events, or about joining Breast Quest, contact 07795 577472.