A GWENT breast cancer charity is just £250,000 away from breaking the £1 million fundraising mark.

In The Pink has raised £750,000 for breast cancer research at the Velindre Hospital, Cardiff University and Tenovus, since it was set up in 2001.

It was founded by women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives including Ebbw Vale's Liz Sullivan.

Mrs Sullivan helped found the charity to support other people and to help find a cure for the disease.

In The Pink is now looking to reach the £1 million mark with a series of walks in Gwent next month.

This is the ninth annual set of In The Pink canal walks organised by the charity which saw around 2,000 people taking part last year.

Sunday, May 16, will see people taking part in the Mon and Brecon waterway walk and the Wye Valley waterway walk, which has been organised with the help of The Rotary Club of Monmouth.

Walkers can choose from a selection of routes, varying from 1.8 miles right up to 20 miles .

The walks will end with a special party in the grounds of The Old Rectory Hotel and Golf Course in Crickhowell with music, food and drinks from 2pm until 9.30pm.

This is open to non-walkers for an entry fee of £5 and is free for children aged under 15.

Walks will also take place along the Swansea canal on May 2, the Vale of Neath on May 9 and the Llangollen Canal on May 23.

For more information and to register, see www.pinkwalks.co.uk Registration packs cost £5.85 each and can also be ordered by calling 01495 308883.

Registered walkers will then receive information and a unique wristband allowing the charity to keep track of walkers on the day.