More than £4,400 has been raised for Cancer Research UK after two friends organised a sponsored walk at the Blickling Estate in memory of their husbands who died of rare forms of cancer.

Judith Banks, 76, from Saxthorpe, and Angela Hunter, 57, from Sheringham, had set a target of £3,000 to raise on March 9.

They said: “There was a great feeling of camaraderie, love and joy in doing something positive to try and eradicate this group of diseases. New friendships were made and old ones renewed. Family members and friends travelled from far and wide to unite in one goal of beating cancer. The total raised so far is £4,400.”

Laura Holland, Cancer Research UK fundraising manager for Norfolk, said: “What a wonderful achievement by the organisers.”

The Revd Michael Banks was 78 when he died in July 2018 while Leigh Hunter was 57 when he died in June 2015.