BEAUTY and the beast came together yesterday to launch a fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK.

Anneliece Butler sold the first pin badge featuring King Kong, which the charity hopes will bring in much-needed funds to pay for its work.

Five-year-old Anneliece, from Fulford Park, Sunderland, was diagnosed with kidney cancer in March last year. She was only three-and-a-half when doctors found two tumours on her left kidney. Tests confirmed the cancer had spread to her lungs.

Her sister, Olivia, was only six-weeks-old when Anneliece was diagnosed, leading to extra stress for her parents, Joanne and Shaun.

After surgery and more than six months of chemotherapy, Anneliece received the all-clear in January.

Mrs Butler, a 33-year-old student nurse, said: "Anneliece was very, very brave throughout her treatment.

"She did not cry and she never said 'I don't want to go to hospital' even though the treatment made her feel sick."

Now the courageous youngster, who has just passed her first dance exams, is looking forward to a happy Christmas.

Yesterday, she visited Cancer Research UK's Wishes store in Silver Street, Durham, to launch the King Kong pin badges.

Organisers hope the box office success of the film will help bring in funds to pay for the charity's lifesaving work.

The badges, which feature four designs, are available for a recommended donation of £1. They can also be bought at Peacocks, Wilkinsons and Cineworld cinemas.