YORK'S iconic Clifford's Tower and a section of the city's historic walls will glow purple to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, thanks to a local cancer survivor.

Jean Clark, 61, of Herman Walk, Foxwood, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013, has arranged for the ancient tower and the walls, from Lendal Bridge to the War Memorial, in Station Rise, to be illuminated in purple, with the help of City of York Council.

They will be lit up from November 1 to 17, to support Pancreatic Cancer UK's Purple Lights for Hope campaign.

The campaign is intended to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, and to remember those who have sadly died of the disease.

It calls on individuals and organisations across the UK to light focal points up purple in villages, towns and cities throughout November, which is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.

Mrs Clark said: "I am delighted that City of York Council have been able to organise these landmarks to light up purple to raise awareness of this disease which suffers from chronic lack of awareness. I would also like to thank Rachael Maskell MP for her help and continued support.

"Since been diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer in 2013 I have tried to help raise awareness and fundraise. I was very lucky to be diagnosed early and responded well to treatment but many people are not as lucky. The survival rate is rising slowly but I hope that by helping people recognise the symptoms early that this will soon change.”

About 9,600 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year.

However, less than seven per cent of people will survive beyond five years, and despite being the UK's fifth biggest cancer killer, the disease has received just 1.9 per cent of the UK cancer research budget per year.