SOUTHAMPTON Guildhall is one of the landmark buildings that will turn red next Saturday to mark World Leukaemia Day.

The popular entertainment venue will be lit up as part of a nationwide attempt to raise awareness of the disease - a type of blood cancer that kills almost 5,000 people in the UK every two years.

Twenty-eight buildings will turn red to represent the fact that 28 people are diagnosed with leukaemia in the UK each day.

The eye-catching displays are being organised by Leukaemia Care as part of its Spot Leukaemia campaign.

Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, the charity's chief executive, said: “We’re delighted that Southampton Guildhall will lighting red for World Leukaemia Day.

"Leukaemia can be hard to spot because the signs and symptoms are common to other, unrelated illnesses. Early diagnosis saves lives.”

Leukaemia is the 13th most common cancer in the world and kills more than 300,000 people across the globe every year.

A Leukaemia Care spokesperson said: "Our campaign is vital because survival rates for leukaemia are significantly lower than those for most common cancers."

The six most common symptoms are fatigue, feeling weak or breathless, fever, bruising or bleeding, repeated infections, and joint or bone pain.

World Leukaemia Day is an annual chance for patients, charities and healthcare professionals to raise awareness and share stories of their experience of the disease.

The Guildhall, opened by Lord Derby in 1937, is described as the largest multi-purpose entertainment venue in the south.

On July 5 it was lit up blue to celebrate the 73rd birthday of the NHS.

In April the Civic Centre clock tower and the Guildhall were illuminated purple following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

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