AMPUTEE Leanne Grose was the guest of honour at a special event being held to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

She was recently named inspirational Woman of the Year after battling a rare form of bone cancer since her teens and remained positive during the past 15 years of treatment including a leg amputation.

She was selected by a judging panel of members of Inspiring Women Network who praised her "courage, determination, strength of character, and positive mindset".

She attended a Lady in Red function on Saturday organised by Alan Cane who has raised more than £25,000 in eight years for Macmillan.

Mr Crane, who lost his wife eight years ago and has since been raising funds for the charity who nursed her.

He said: "Leanne is such a determined woman and despite her bone cancer has never allowed herself to be seen as a victim. She has maintained her positivity and used her experiences to produce an exercise DVD aimed at people in wheelchairs, written an autobiography and a book that is being released next year. She has also taken part in charity events, including parachuting, and abseiling.

Saturday's event was theme around the 1930s with many dressing from that era.

Alan Cane said: "We wanted something different and my friend Roger Brunt said he could arrange a 1934 Buick to bring Leanne to the ball so we designed the whole evening around the 1930s theme."

The Lady in Red Ball was due to be held at The Trowbridge Civic Centre but with a similar charity event held the previous evening Mr Crane was forced to change the event to the to the Southwick Suite at Southwick .

He said; "Despite the 11th hour of change of venue it was a successful ball, raising over £1,000 for Macmillan with Leanne enjoying the event fun theme."