THE Big C held a fashion in Beccles for the first time on Wednesday. RUTH KING, spending a week at the Journal's Beccles office on work experience, went along to check out the fashions, and produced this report.

THE Big C held a fashion in Beccles for the first time on Wednesday. RUTH KING, spending a week at the Journal's Beccles office on work experience, went along to check out the fashions, and produced this report.

Next season's clothes may already be flying off shop rails, but women in Beccles will be one step ahead of the crowd thanks to a fashion show held this week.

Ladies from Big C, the cancer charity for Norfolk and Waveney, modelled new and second hand clothing, as well as selling jewellery and cakes on Wednesday.

The charity has recently opened a shop in New Market, Beccles, and it is hoped that the fashion show will raise money and awareness of the illness.

Blyburgate Hall, which has been recently refurbished, was provided free of charge and was filled with women from all walks of life, including cancer survivors.

The clothes, refreshments and even a PA system were all donated to help raise as much money as possible for the charity - with many volunteers working hard behind the scenes to make the event go with a swing.

Members of the Big C committee modelled the clothes - including an 84-year-old, who was the oldest model.

They paraded the clothes down the catwalk with elegance and the audience had the opportunity to buy everything modelled after the show - all at reduced prices.

A variety of clothes were available, from high street skirts and suits to designer outfits from Karen Millen, and even a dress by Elizabeth Emmanuel, who designed Princess Diana's wedding dress.

The show came to an exciting climax with a wedding scene, featuring a dress supplied by the Big C Wedding Shop in Timberhill, Norwich. A raffle and cream teas followed the events.

This is the first fashion show the Big C has held in Beccles, however Ladies In League Against Cancer (Lilac), an affiliate of the Big C, held a similar event last August and raised more than £2,000. It is hoped that this one will bring similar success.

Les Cologne, fundraising manageress, who also doubled as a model, said: “The money raised will go towards running the Support and Advice Centre, buying equipment at local hospitals and funding research - a very important part of our fight against cancer.”

Elaine Fisher, compere for the show and trustee for the Big C for a decade, said: “It's very important that we spread the Big C within the community for which it is intended.”

For more information on the Big C, visit www.thebigcappeal.co.uk