A POLICE administrator from the North-East, who is recovering from breast cancer, is to have her own police escort when she embarks on a fund-raising walk.

Lesley Hartley, 44, will take part in the sponsored walk for Cancer Research UK accompanied by staff from Sunderland police station, in Gill Bridge Avenue, where she works.

The mother-of-three, from Herrington, in the city, was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas in December 1999, and underwent five months of chemotherapy.

Now she is gearing up for a 10km Stride For Life walk in Newburn, Newcastle, to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Her mother, Dorothy Kennedy, will also walk, as will Lesley's husband, Mike and children Ross, 16, Andrew, 20, and Jennifer, 22. Even granddaughter Abby Childs, aged 20 months, will be joining them in her buggy.

Mrs Hartley, deputy administration manager at the station, said: "Recovering from breast cancer has been hard but I have had fantastic support from my family and friends, especially my mother and my colleagues at work."

* The Stride for Life walk begins at Tyne Riverside Country Park, in Newburn, Newcastle at midday on Sunday October 13. Entry costs £6 per adult and £3 for children under 16-years-old. To take part or find out where the nearest Stride for Life walk is taking place, ring 0845 602 1940 or register online at www.cancerresearch uk.org/strideforlife