KETTLES are at the ready, cake stands are mounted and coffee is brewing – it’s that time of year again.

The Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is back for its 24th year and thousands of people across Hampshire will be gathering today to raise money for people affected by cancer.

With sponsored walks, bake-offs, raffles, coffee tastings and more it is set to be Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event yet. Last year £400,000 of the £20 million raised nationally came from Hampshire residents.

Many organisations have been getting involved with staff from Marks and Spencer in West Quay, Southampton and Hedge End taking part in a sponsored 6.5 mile walk between the two stores.

Portswood librarians Cath Brear and Fran Simonis spent yesterday walking 17 miles to visit all 11 city libraries to raise awareness ahead of their coffee morning in Central library today.

Cath said: “Most of us know or have lost someone to it so this is a chance for us all to pull together and make a difference.”

For Hampshire the money raised this year will be used to fund four GPs to educate people on early diagnosis and improve support during and after treatment. Plus, more than £280,000 has been designated to building an extension to the information and support centre at Southampton General Hospital.