A dedicated fundraiser who received an MBE this year after raising thousands of pounds for cancer research is facing the prospect that she may have the disease herself.

Shirley Livingstone dedicated her life to raising money for cancer research after her GP husband, Dr Stanley Livingstone, died in 1984.

And in the 19 years she has been fundraising, Mrs Livingstone, of Pool-in-Wharfedale, has raised between £70,000 and £100,000.

Now that Mrs Livingstone has discovered a lump in her breast, she is more determined than ever to raise money for research.

"It's quite ironic really," she said. "I've raised all this money because my husband had cancer and now there is a possibility that I have cancer too.

"I am just going to think positively and hope for the best."

Mrs Livingstone, who lives in Arthington Lawns, started raising money for Bradford-based War On Cancer by organising orchid shows, with the first raising £7,000.

She went on to set up several more shows and concerts and her biggest success was the Best of Bradford concert in St George's Hall in 1997, which was in memory of "Mr Bradford" Roger Suddards and raised £25,000.

This money bought two pieces of equipment for Bradford University's oncology department, but organising the event took a year out of Mrs Livingstone's life.

Mrs Livingstone, who is a keen orchid grower and bridge player, has used her hobbies to raise money with orchid shows and bridge contests.

She has organised 11 Bridge for Charity events which have raised over £15,000 for cancer research.

Mrs Livingstone said she was thrilled when she received the MBE from Prince Charles at the end of last month.

She visited Buckingham Palace with her three sons Richard, Daniel and Adam.

She said: "I had a wonderful day and Prince Charles gave me the accolade. We discussed cancer and I said that the difficulty in researching is that we are not fighting just one disease but 100 different ones.

"The whole day was amazing and one which I will never forget."

Mrs Livingstone said that she was very pleased that she had raised so much money over the years, because the threat of cancer is so dominant.

"It is such a battle and sadly, it does come down to money. So much funding is needed to research and fight cancer."

Mrs Livingstone now works at Otley's Cancer Research shop and will carry on fundraising.

"I may not spend quite as much time and effort on fundraising as I have done, but I am determined to carry on the fight."