CANCER patient Tina White is on her way to Italy thanks to the efforts of local villagers.

People in Blakeney have been rallying around ever since they found out that the popular local figure was suffering from a particularly aggressive form of cancer.

Regarded by many as a second mum, Tina had harboured dreams of seeing Italy for many years.

Now, villagers have raised enough money to send the 52-year-old mother on her first family holiday for four years, with husband Eric, son Liam, 22, and daughter Stacey, 26.

Tina was finally able to book the holiday to Lake Garda after British Legion chairman Mike Botchett and vice-chairman Steven Burr raised the last £1,500 by having their heads shaved.

"It's going to be a proper family holiday," said Tina who bought the holiday early on the advice of doctors.

"I've always wanted to go to Italy and I'm really looking forward to it."

For more on Tina, read this week's copy of The Forester.