THE funeral was due to take place today of a former Bolton Council worker who campaigned for a cancer drug to be given to sufferers for free.

Sue Price, aged 34, who was first denied the drug because it was not available on the NHS in the area where she lived, spent £4,000 on private treatment after being given just six months to live this summer.

The Greater Manchester Health Authority then decided that she could have the drug, Herceptin, but the treatment proved unsuccessful.

Ms Price, battled breast cancer which spread to her liver. Her former colleagues at Bolton Council are said to be shocked at the speed of her death.

Ms Price, of Timperley, was a former regeneration town planner for Bolton.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: "We are all shocked and saddened by the suddenness and speed of her death."

Bolton colleagues were due to join family and friends for the funeral which takes place in Timperley.