A POETRY anthology to raise funds for Colchester's Cancer Centre Campaign will be launched in Wivenhoe next week.

The anthology has been compiled by retired consultant physician Dr Peter Kennedy, of poetrywivenhoe.

The book will be launched at poetrywivenhoe at the town's branch of the Royal British Legion, on the quay, on Thursday July 23, at 7.30pm.

Tickets, £7.50 each, are available from the Wivenhoe Bookshop and cost £7.50 each.

All proceeds from the event and sales of the book will goto the campaign. Its chairman, Sir John Ashworth, will give an introduction to the evening, followed by readings of a number of the poems in the anthology.

Dr Kennedy worked for Colchester hospitals for 36 years, including at the former Myland and Severalls hospitals, as well as Essex County and Colchester General hospitals.

Poetrywivenhoe sees guest poets read their works to poetry lovers in the town. The anthology, featuring the work of more than 40 poets, has been able to go ahead thanks to a crowdfunding appeal to raise £1,000.