WHEN Letizia Baser fought off breast cancer three years ago her identical twin daughters Becci and Miriam were with her every step of the way.

Now all three are taking more steps together in a bid to help conquer the disease.

The trio, from Fareham, will be taking part in the Race for Life to raise money for vital research into women's cancers.

The twins, 19, work as checkout assistants at Tesco in Whiteley and their mum is a general assistant at the same store.

Miriam said: "It hit us hard but mum was strong and coped superbly. She's recovered now but still has check-ups.

"This event will be something really special for us. We just want to raise as much money as possible."

Her sister Becci added: "This is the first time we've done Race for Life.

"It's a really good cause. Cancer has touched the lives of a lot of people we know."

The women will be joined in the Race for Life by 15 of their colleagues, including Alison Merritt, the store's cafe manager.

Alison, 37, from Fareham lost both her parents to cancer and two years ago had a scare herself.

"I was in hospital for another operation during which doctors discovered a tumour," she said.

"They removed it there and then. It's so important that we raise money to help find out how to stamp cancer out."

Tesco has agreed to provide a 20 per cent top-up on any money raised by its staff and pay their entry fee.

Store manager Simon Walker said: "This cause means a lot to many of our staff and customers alike. We're determined to do all that we can to support the race."

Nearly 130,000 UK women are diagnosed with cancer every year.

Now in its tenth year, Race for Life has a target of £17.5m to fund vital research into one of the biggest causes of death in British women and they are hoping this year's Southampton event will have a record number of entries.