MORE than 400 coffee mornings have been organised in Worcestershire as residents prepare to boil their kettles to raise cash for charity.

Businesses, schools, and organisations across the county have enlisted to take part in Macmillan Cancer Relief's World's Biggest Coffee Morning, due to take place on Friday, September 24.

Money raised by the event will help fund vital information and counselling centres, specialist Macmillan medical staff, buildings for cancer treatment and care centres and grants for cancer sufferers who have financial difficulties.

Upton-upon-Severn resident, Tracey Russell, has organised a coffee morning in aid of the charity at the town's Hill Centre, in Welland Road, from 10am to 12.30pm.

"I'm asking everyone from Upton to make their cup of coffee count by holding their own World's Biggest Coffee morning events to raise vital funds for people living with cancer," said Ms Russell. "Please also come along to my event and join in the fun for a good cause."

Macmillan spokesman, Jon Rayner, said: "A coffee morning is the easiest thing in the world to arrange and there is still time to hold one, whether it's at home or at work.

"A jar of coffee, some cakes and a few raffle prizes are all that is needed.

"Last year in Worcestershire we appointed three new Macmillan nurses to support local people and with cancer and with your help we will be able to build on this work in the future.

"If you can't organise your own coffee morning there is bound to be an event near you where you will be very welcome."

Last year the charity set a world record for staging the largest simultaneous party with the coffee morning fundraising event and 576,157 people took part, raising more than £4.3m.

For an organisers' pack, which contains posters, invitations, cake recipes and tips on making your coffee morning a success, call the charity on 0845 602 1246 or alternatively visit www.macmillan.org.uk