CANCER sufferers in Worcestershire can now take advantage of a new lingerie service designed for women coping with mastectomies.

Vivienne Hodson launched Confidantes - the name means bosom pals - from her home in Eckington, near Pershore, two years ago.

But now the business has grown so much she and her step-daughter Annie Roper have been forced to open a shop in Pershore's High Street stocking special bras, swimwear and kimonos.

"Basically, we stock everything to make women feel feminine again," said Mrs Hodson, who also works as a nursing auxiliary.

She had a mastectomy in 1995.

"When you come out of the operation, you're told by the breast care nurse to go out and get a suitable bra," she added.

"But it's easier said than done. I was put straight on to tamoxifen and, because of the drug, put on two-and-a-half stone.

"Women are given prostheses to wear, but they slip across and pop out. Mine fell out when I was doing yoga.

"I could cope with the embarrassment, but not all women are able to deal with it.

"You end up going round buying lots and lots of bras, paying a fortune only to be uncomfortable.

"There are mail order companies, but you need fittings because you put on so much weight.

"I became increasingly frustrated, so my step-daughter and I decided to launch the business."

The pair spent six months researching across Britain, contacting suppliers and manufacturers and meeting with breast care nurses before launching Confidantes.

A website at www.confidantes.co.uk now forms part of the business.

"My living room and Annie's got far too small to deal with all our business, so we've launched our shop," said the 57-year-old.

"Everything's by appointment only and it's on the first floor to make it as discreet as possible.

"The last thing women want when they've had a mastectomy is to have to announce it to the world.

"We want to make women feel attractive again."