Former England rugby international Andy Ripley has helped launch a new Sussex cancer charity.

Mr Ripley, who has prostrate cancer, is appealing for businesses to get behind Cancer Journey, which needs £110,000 to get started.

The charity will have a mobile cancer information service which will tour Mid Sussex and give advice.

Mr Ripley said: "As a sufferer myself, I know the huge emotional strain cancer can put on patients, their families, and carers.

"It is a frightening time but good information about support services and treatments can make a big difference.

"We need local businesses to support the launch of Cancer Journey so we can set-up this badly needed service in Sussex."

Cancer Journey was the idea of Jane Gambrill, from Cuckfield, who felt more information for cancer sufferers was desperately needed.

She cared for her brother Jeremy, who died from prostrate cancer about four years ago.

Miss Gambrill, a theatre sister at East Grinstead Hospital, said people with cancer needed a one-stop information service about treatment, support groups, financial issues and help for carers.

The initiative is being supported by NHS cancer services and Macmillan Cancer Support Cancer Journey needs 65,000 to buy a mobile unit and another £45,000 to run it for two years.

It will initially travel around Mid Sussex and then expand throughout the county.

To sponsor the charity, call Miss Gambrill on 01444 440373.

The website www.cancerjourney.org.uk goes live on Tuesday.