Birds of a feather are in the pink together.

Byline: By ANGELA RAINEY

PINK ladies went quackers for a new range of ducks to raise money for Cancer Research.

The It's a Girl Thing campaign was launched in Redcar by five ladies who fought breast cancer.

Sharyn Clarkson, 55, Sue Scrimgour, 55, Adelaide Pickavance, Irene Clarkson, 75, and Barbara Barnes, 82, have all battled the condition which affects more than 100 women a day in Britain.

Mum-of-two Sharyn, from Redcar has had breast cancer twice. She was first diagnosed in 1991 then in 2003 when she had a double mastectomy.

Sharyn, who organised the event, has taken part in the Pink Dip for the last four years. She said: "It is breast cancer awareness over September and October and we would like to encourage as many people as possible to buy a duck.

"In the box there is a leaflet on how to examine your breasts. I particularly like the gold one by Biba designer Barbara Hulanicki because I remember Biba well. Men, women and children can also take part in the Pink Dip on October 4 at 1.30pm at Redcar."

The ducks come in three designs: a black duck called Bones designed by Sharon Osbourne, a pink one called Duckie by model Twiggy and the gold one called Garbo by Barbara Hulanicki. All are pounds 4.99.

Irene Clarkson's cancer was caught by twist of fate in 2004. She said: "I had passed the age of having scans which was 60 then. But I got a letter saying that they were extending the age groups to 70, even though I was 71 I decided to go along and they found a lump."

Mrs Clarkson, a mother-of-four, grandmother-of-15 and a great-grandmother-of-four had a lumpectomy and lymph nodes removed. She urges the public to take part by buying a duck and doing the Pink Dip.

To take part call into Cancer Research Shop, High Street, Redcar or call Sharyn on 01642 487230.

CAPTION(S):

LUV A DUCK: From left, Irene Clarkson, Sharyn Clarkson, Adelaide Pickavance, Barbara Barnes and Susan Scrimgour at launch of the It's a Girl Thing campaign Picture by PETER REIMANN