THREE women will be swapping the waters of Worcestershire for the warmer climates of Florida to take part in the International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission Dragon Boat Festival this weekend.

Sue Handy and Bev Brocklehurst, from Malvern and Nicola North, from Hartlebury, are part of the Worcester Busters UK, a crew of women who have all suffered with breast cancer at some time in their life.

They meet as part of the Worcester Dragons, a competitive racing club, and train on the River Severn in the shadow of Worcester Cathedral.

But this weekend the three women will be joining rowers from across the world to take place in an international competition.

Mrs Handy, who works as a group administrator for Your Worcester News, said she was looking forward to it.

"The three of us who will be making a team up with Paddlers for Life, mostly from Windermere and some from Manchester," said the 56-year-old, who was herself diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.

"We are part of the Worcester Busters, who have all had breast cancer. I had my first mammogram at 52 and that's when they found it."

Mrs Handy underwent a mastectomy on her right breast and reconstructive surgery and has been clear since.

"The busters is a nice atmosphere," she said. "Everyone has had breast cancer and we are all in the same boat, literally.

"We heard about this event and we thought it would be nice to do so we have been saving for it and now it's here.

"We have supporters coming with us as well, my husband Tim is coming, and they are all going to be in a supporters boat.

"It is a competition and the races are 500 meters."

The event takes place over the weekend and ends on Sunday with a huge procession of around 105 teams from all over the globe.

"We are all going to be wearing black and the ladies have shoes with Union Jack flags on and United Kingdom themed hats. I have a flat cap."

For more information about the Worcester Busters visit worcester-busters.org.uk or email

busters@worcester-dragons.org.uk.