Two women are celebrating their 46-year friendship by holding a fundraising party for the cancer ward where one of them is being treated.

Jennifer Mercer and Brenda Atkinson, both of Denholme, near Bingley, have known each other since the age of two.

Jennifer, 48, first suffered cancer in 1999. She had chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy and radiotherapy. She was cleared of cancer but several weeks ago a biopsy revealed it had returned.

Doctors told Jennifer the cancer is inoperable but she is being treated with new "wonderdrug" Herceptin.

She and Brenda lived on the same street as children and have been inseparable ever since. They intended to hold a joint 50th birthday party but have brought it forward instead.

Brenda said they were determined the party would not be a sad occasion. "It's difficult but we still have laughs," she said.

The pair are inviting old schoolfriends to the event at the Five Flags Hotel, Manywells Brow, Denholme, from 8pm on August 24. There will be an auction and raffles in aid of Ward 15 at Bradford Royal Infirmary.