PIGEON fancier George Hilson has raised more than £6,000 for cancer research -- with the help of the Queen and an express parcels company.

Mr Hilson, of Bury, organised an auction of pigeons at Rossendale which attracted the support of fanciers across the country, including the Queen.

Amtrak Express Parcels Ltd collected a VIP pigeon from the Queen's Flight at the royal loft at Sandringham as well as 86 other birds from all over the country and transported them to the auction free of charge through its Homing Express Service.

Mr Hilson said the auction had been organised in memory of three friends well-known in pigeon racing circles who had died from cancer this year.

"We stage frequent auctions for various good causes and there are always very popular but we were amazed with the support we received for this campaign," he said.