THE Mayor of Stourport has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the rare cancer that caused his wife's death.

Former mayoress Lin Henderson died in December, aged 67, just three months after she was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, otherwise known as bile duct cancer.

Stourport Mayor, Councillor Ken Henderson, said: "Lin first went to the doctors in May because she had lost her appetite.

"They did tests but by the time it was diagnosed, it was too late for treatment."

Cllr Henderson and his family are now raising money for AMMF, the UK's only bile duct cancer charity, and want to increase awareness of the disease in the hope of speeding up diagnosis.

They have already raised £300 through a Just Giving page and £128 at a charity bake sale.

The family is now appealing for local businesses to agree to display an AMMF fundraising tin behind their till.

Daughter Julie Guest said: "Because it's such a rare form of cancer, it's really difficult to diagnose. A lot of doctors just aren't aware of it."

Symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma include abdominal pain, yellowish skin, weight loss, itching, and fever.

Any businesses interested in obtaining a charity tin can email Julie at snoolie@hotmail.co.uk.

For more information about bile duct cancer, go to ammf.org.uk.