A WIRRAL branch of the Masons has donated more than £500 to one of the Northwest's leading cancer charities.

Swasie Turner MBE, an active member of Old Caldean and Greasby Masonic Lodge group, visited the North West Cancer Research Centre at the University of Liverpool, to hand over a cheque for £530 to its chairman Michael Potts.

He also visited the research labs at the centre where he met with researchers, Professor David Fernig and Dr Jamie Wilson, who talked him through some of the work which donations such as Swasie’s supports.

The donation represents the £500 gift from the group as well as an additional £30, which was raised by Swasie following a series of personal book launches and signings.

His latest book is called If It Was Up To Me and is a cartoon book which lampoons the nation's 'jobsworths' and politically-correct pontificators with amusing caricatures.

Michael Potts said: "Swasie has been raising funds for us for many years and is a fantastic man with so many amazing stories to tell.

"It's been a pleasure welcoming him to the research centre for the first time ever and hope he enjoyed seeing how the money he has raised is being put to good use, with cancer research projects in the North West.

"World-class research is being carried out in the North West. None of this can be done without the support of our fund raising committees.

"All of our research fellows recognise the hard work which is being generated by our volunteers, helping to keep this vital research work in the region."

Born and bred in Saughall Massie, Swasie has been raising money for local cancer research charities since the death of his wife Marjorie from breast cancer in 1997.

He lost his right leg after an attack on duty while serving as a front line sergeant for Merseyside Police.