SUE CHAPMAN is dying of cancer - but is determined to go out with style.

Sue, from Keighley, will be kicking-off charity matches this weekend when young footballers join her campaign to help stamp out the illness.

"I lost my hair last Thursday because of chemotherapy treatment and want to paint my head in the same colours as the football strip, but I'm not sure I'll be allowed," Sue says.

The 46-year-old former barmaid suffered a heart attack six years ago and late last year returned to her doctor with more pains in her chest. Hospital tests revealed the pain was caused by advanced lung cancer.

"They gave me the news on Christmas Eve, which wasn't the best Christmas present in the world, but there is nothing I can do about it now - I'm determined to enjoy the time I have left," she says.

"The treatment I'm on is designed to shrink the tumours and reduce the pain. The top half of my right lung has collapsed and the bottom half is being crushed by the tumour. There are also growths on my left lung, but I'm getting on with life.

"I've always had fun and enjoyed myself and I don't intend to stop now."

Sue was a barmaid at the Volunteer Arms in Lawkholme Lane, and when regulars were told her hair had fallen out they started a collection to buy her a wig.

"It all started as a joke but has really taken off and I want to be fully involved," she says.

Sue has a son, Paul, and two grandchildren, Ethan, two, and six-year-old Jake who plays football with Oakbank Junior FC. The club is also sponsored by the Volunteer Arms and the young footballers decided to back the fund-raising campaign. This weekend they are holding two fun games with mums taking on their sons, and the dads taking on a team of regulars from the Volunteers.

Landlord Keith Wilson said: "Sue is a very good friend and a great character. She helped us out behind the bar when we were stuck and the fund raising started as a bit of a joke, but Sue has always been on hand to help other people and now we want to help her.

"We hope to raise enough money to send her on a holiday when the chemotherapy is over."

The football matches are being held at Oakbank Recreation ground on Sunday at 10am, with a charity night in the Volunteer Arms next Friday.