A FORMER Kidder-minster woman who died of ovarian cancer will be remembered at a charity ball to raise awareness of the disease.

Linda Thompson was 58 when she died in 2006. She had lived in Beeches Road and St John's Avenue before moving to Birmingham.

The mother of two was secretary of Stourport Rabbit Club and ran rabbit shows at Kidderminster Carnival.

Her daughter, Annette Lougheed, 37, has organised the Shall We Dance ball so dancers and non-dancers alike can take to the floor while helping to raise awareness and money for charity.

She said: "March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. I decided to hold the ball because not many women know of the symptoms and are diagnosed too late.

"My mum was always a healthy person and was never ill. When she suddenly started putting on weight, doctors diagnosed her with constipation.

"It wasn't until she couldn't eat properly that doctors carried out further tests and diagnosed her with ovarian cancer.

"As a family, we had not heard of the cancer and had no idea of the symptoms. She died nine months later.

"My mum's death came as a bolt out of the blue for us. If more women are aware of the symptoms then they can check it out earlier. If they are diagnosed early then they stand a better chance of surviving it."

Mrs Lougheed is organising the event with dance teacher, Richard Rose, who runs classes at Freemans Ballroom, in Mill Street.

She added: "I haven't got over losing mum and I still can't believe what has happened.

"After losing my mum I can't carry on like nothing has happened. The way for me to get on with my life is to try and do something good for her."

The ball, which starts at 7.30pm, will be held at the Holiday Inn, in Birmingham, on Saturday.

All proceeds will go to Ovarian Cancer Action, a charity committed to improving survival for women with the cancer.

For further information or to obtain tickets, contact Mrs Lougheed, on 0121 453 0669.