MALVERN is being bathed in a sea of purple to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.

The Buzzards in Rose Bank Gardens have been equipped with purple lights for pancreatic cancer awareness month.

Mayor of Malvern Cllr Nick Houghton and Malvern Hills District Council chairman Cllr Cynthia Palmer met on November 18 to kick off what will be a month-long installation.

This is after the council was approached by resident Terrence Taylor, a supporter of Pancreatic Cancer UK.

After losing his sister to the disease, Mr Taylor asked the council if they would be willing to get involved in the "purple lights" campaign.

In response, the council suggested using the Buzzards as a way to grab attention.

Cllr Houghton said: "I am so pleased that Malvern Town Council has floodlit the Buzzards in Rosebank Gardens in Purple to mark Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day.

"People across the globe come together to raise awareness about the symptoms and risks of the disease, and the urgent need for earlier detection.

"As Mayor I am proud that Malvern Town Council have joined in this event and in doing so raising awareness of this cancer which impacts many people."

Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer is an annual campaign in the UK that takes place during November’s pancreatic cancer awareness month. The concept is that prominent landmarks in the nationwide are lit up in purple throughout November to help raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.

Cllr Cynthia Palmer said: "Pancreatic cancer sadly leads to the loss of many loved ones, and I would like to thank Terence Taylor for asking Malvern Town Council to raise awareness of this disease by illuminating the buzzards in a purple hue."

Two statistics of pancreatic cancer are that it kills more than 7,000 people per year and that only 7% of diagnosed people survive more than 5 years. It is a disease which is in need of more recognition from the public.

For more information and to see other installations, go to https://purplelightsuk.org/gallery/