MEMBERS of a local cancer support group will help give a young Barnoldswick girl a special treat this Christmas.

Five-year-old Samantha Jones, a pupil at the town's Church School, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March and is currently being treated with chemotherapy at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, known as Pendlebury.

This weekend members of Barnoldswick and Earby Bosom Friends, which offers advice, support and friendship to people suffering from cancer, plan to help Samantha's recovery by raising money towards a trip to Lapland organised by the charity When you Wish Upon a Star.

Around nine members of the group have volunteered to don fancy dress and take part in a collection around Barnoldswick's pubs tomorrow night (Saturday).

All the funds raised will help buy winter clothes for Samantha's trip.

The collection will start at Barnoldswick Conservative Club at 7.15pm with the women making their way around most of the town's hostelries. This is the third year running that the Friends have made the collection and it usually raises more than £500.

Samantha's grandma and legal guardian, Val Jones, said she was grateful to the Bosom Friends for their help.

She added: "Sam is really looking forward to the trip to Lapland. She's doing extremely well at the moment. She's a very happy and brave child."

Samantha, who will finish her treatment in May next year, is also hoping to visit Disneyland next September on a holiday organised by the charity Moonbeams.