Andrew Blunden's wife Beverley lost her fight against breast cancer at the age of 36.

Now Mr Blunden is joining another battle on her behalf.

That battle is to retain specialist breast cancer care services in Brighton and Hove and not move them to Haywards Heath.

Mr Blunden, 38, of Sunninghill Avenue, Hove, said: "Thousands of women each year are dying. The service should stay in the city.

"My wife did drive but she was in too much pain and wouldn't have been able to go all the way to Haywards Heath."

Mother-of-two Mrs Blunden died at The Martlets Hospice in Hove on November 2 last year after a three-year battle with the disease.

Mr Blunden is now bringing up their daughters, Velvet, nine, and Victoria, five, with the help of his own and his late wife's family.

He said: "I find it very, very difficult and very hard to cope. It's coming up to the first anniversary of her death. She was a fantastic woman."

His wife developed problems with a nipple. They persisted and, after a referral to the Nigel Porter Breast Care Unit in Brighton, a large lump was discovered behind her nipple.

Further investigations revealed the disease had spread to her lymph nodes and then to her bones.

She underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy and went to the Royal Marsden Hospital, London, for a second opinion.

Last September, just weeks before her death, she took part in a charity walk which raised more than £2,500.

Now, as well as appealing for services to remain in the city, Mr Blunden wants people to join him, his family and Albion striker Lee Steele on a sponsored walk this Sunday.

The walk, from Hove Lagoon to Brighton Marina, will raise money for the hospice, which provided a vital service when Mrs Blunden was seriously ill.

It starts at noon. Anyone interested in taking part, or making a donation should call Mr Blunden on 01273 735270 or 07973 123317.