A WORCESTER cancer survivor is getting ready to get her hands - and the rest of her body - dirty as she prepares for the city's first Pretty Muddy event.

Jane Annis, from St George's, Worcester, is launching the latest Cancer Research UK Race for Life event, which will see woman from around the county get to grips with a 5km muddy obstacle course around Worcester Racecourse on Saturday, May 30.

The mum-of-two is hoping women from all over Worcestershire will embrace the event and raise thousands for the cancer charity.

"I can't wait to take on Pretty Muddy and get down and dirt in the fight against cancer," said the former early years practitioner.

"I'm ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with women across the region who all want to show cancer who's boss."

The event and the cause is close to Ms Annis, who was diagnosed with breast cancer on Valentine's Day 2012.

"The lump was the size of a 10p piece and flat," she said. "I actually spotted it in December 2011, but Christmas was coming up, and then my son's birthday, so I ignore it and hoped it would go away. It was late January before I went to the GP."

Unfortunately Ms Annis was diagnosed with a tumour.

"It was a complete shock," she said. "You hear those words and everything just shuts down. I remember crying and shaking. I didn't tell my mum immediately because my stepdad died of cancer and I didn't want to upset her. I was hoping the tumour wasn't malignant."

But it was found to be malignant and Ms Annis underwent a lumpectomy at Kidderminster hospital.

"It's just the worst thing in the world to have to sit your children down and tell them you've got cancer. The boys were fantastic, so brave and strong."

In June 2012 Ms Annis took part in the Worcester Race for Life in memory of her stepdad Mick Tyrrell and was joined by mum Jill Tyrrell, who has attended 14 events including the first Race for Life.

Now three years free of cancer Ms Annis is fighting fit and raring to go.

This year's Race for Life group of events in Worcester will also feature the more familiar 5km and 10km courses taking place on the Sunday, May 31, at the same spot.

Money raised from the event allows Cancer Research UK's doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children.

To sponsor Ms Annis justgiving.com/janeannis.

To enter Race for Life or Pretty Muddy go to raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.