PEOPLE in Darwen are being asked to volunteer to help out a leading medical research charity.

The Arthritis Research Campaign relies entirely on public donations and is hoping people in Darwen will come forward to help organise fundraising events to boost the charity's work in that area.

North West appeals manager Jenny Robson said that volunteers were needed to help with a variety of fundraising events but specifically for a collection in the town later in the year.

She said: "Collections have been arranged in Darwen in early October so now is a good time for interested people to get together and find out more about the charity and have fun raising funds.

"As well as street collections we'd like people to help arrange and run a series of activities like sponsored walks and musical events and generally promote the work of the Arthritis Research Campaign and its work in the Darwen area."

The Campaign raises money to carry out research into finding a cure for arthritis which affects more than seven million people in the UK.

For more information about how to volunteer contact Jenny Robson on 01704 509765 or use email: j.robson@arc.org.uk.