A charity which has raised more than £500,000 to fight breast cancer is to leave the city where it was founded.

The Ann Rose Monte Cancer Challenge has helped to fund treatment and cutting edge research into the cause of a disease which kills 13,000 women a year.

The charity was run by Mrs Rose and her businessman husband Tony, from their home in Third Avenue, Hove.

Mrs Rose, 55, was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and died at The Martlets Hospice, Hove, three years ago.

The charity's patron was BBC television presenter Sally Taylor, who survived her own battle with breast cancer.

She said of Mrs Rose: "It was a privilege to know her. She was a remarkable woman who did so much to raise awareness of cancer and how to deal with it, in a very public and dignified way."

Mr Rose and the Monte fund-raising team vowed to carry on the work his wife started and continued fund-raising after her death.

He and friends entered their classic Mini Coopers in the Monte Carlo Rallye Historique every year to raise money for the cause.

Other events included a hugely popular fashion show and a glittering annual ball, both at the Metropole Hotel, Brighton.

However, Mr Rose now plans to move to Surrey, to be with his new partner Marion Reeder.

Norman Baine, who was Mr Rose's regular navigator on the Monte Carlo run, is taking early retirement.

He and his wife Janet, who was the driving force behind many of the fund-raising events, will spend part of the year living in Spain.

Fellow fund-raiser Lynn Lester George, sister of actress Susan George, is having a house built in Bali and will spend time living there.

However, Mr Rose plans to continue with a new committee once he has settled into his new home.

He said: "Because we are all planning different ventures it was felt that now was the right time to temporarily suspend our activities.

"I will continue with a new team once I have moved and settled into my new home. In the meantime, I will take part in the Monte Carlo Rallye again next month.

"Marion will be my navigator and my friend Phil Swaine will also take his Mini Cooper. Between us we hope to raise at least £5,000."

The money raised is given to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey, where Mrs Rose was a patient.