IT'S a friendship that formed at the lowest point of their lives.

When Sue Clarke and Laurell Purdue proudly stood side by side at the start of Race for Life yesterday, it was the day they feared they would never see.

The pair met last year while having treatment for ovarian cancer at the Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton.

Nurses there took part in 2002's event and the newly-formed pals vowed there and then to retrace their steps on Southampton Common if they were still alive.

And yesterday gave grandmother Sue the chance to close the curtain on some of the worst months of her life.

The 50-year-old, of Upper St Helens Road in Hedge End, said: "A year ago today I got diagnosed with ovarian cancer and cancer on my liver as well. But I had my chemotherapy and here I am. I went to the hospital on Friday and I got the all clear.

"I think Race for Life is absolutely brilliant and it's very well organised. It's a very eventful and emotional today. I didn't think I would see this.

"We would both like to say thank-you to the Princess Anne Hospital and the Royal South Hants Hospital."

Laurell Purdue, 47, of Downs Park Avenue, Totton, said: "We were both in hospital at the same time and have been friends ever since and go out for dinner.

"My daughter took part in Race for Life last year and the staff at the hospital did as well so we thought then that if we were around this year then we would do it as well."

SEE PAGES 2&3 of tonight's Daily Echo plus A SOUVENIR 8-PAGE SPECIAL PULL-OUT INSIDE

From 4pm today you can view and buy all the images taken at Race for Life by logging onto www.dailyecho.co.uk/race