A YOUNGSTER was determined to do her bit for cancer charities after her mother was diagnosed with the disease.

Following several weeks of planning, nine-year-old Lauren Robinson was up early on Saturday to set up a market stall, in Chester-le-Street.

Lauren happily parted company with many of her toys to sell on her colourful pitch, and spent the day overseeing trade, backed by grandmother Joan Adey and four-year-old sister Molly.

Proud mother Karen, 36, from Chester-le-Street, who is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, said the idea was Lauren's.

"It's a fantastic thing for a nine-year-old girl to do, but she was determined to go through with it.

"She was up about 6am on Saturday, and spent the day setting up the stall and selling the toys. She even organised a tombola with donated prizes.

"A lot of her friends from South Pelaw Junior School came down, and I'm sure a lot of people bought things which they might not have really wanted, just because it was for a good cause.

"We are extremely grateful to Chester-le-Street council. They waived the fee for the stall and gave us a good spot, which was excellent."

Mrs Robinson, who works at Durham County Council's service direct department, at Pity Me, received the news she was dreading after discovering a lump in January.

"It couldn't have come at a worse time, as my husband, David, had just gone self-employed two days earlier," she said.

"Fortunately, I was diagnosed reasonably early and I had the lumpectomy operation.

"I've just finished the chemotherapy and I'm now about to start the radiotherapy, which will be five days a week for four weeks.

"Hopefully that will be it, although I'll have to keep having regular checks in future.

"It's been a terrible year, but the support I've had from my family and everyone else has been fantastic.

"It's because of Lauren and Molly that makes it worth getting up every morning."

Lauren decorated the stall with pink balloons and, backed by Mrs Adey and Molly, raised £454, which will be donated to Breast Cancer Care and The Lavender Trust, which specifically cares for younger women who are diagnosed with the disease.