The Big C cancer charity has opened a drop-in service, offering vital support to people living with cancer – and a father-of-three from Thorpe St Andrew with first-hand experience of the disease will be on-hand to help.

After joining forces with the Norfolk County Council Library Service, the charity is opening a new service in the city for those unable to get to the Big C's centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital at Colney.

Three trained Big C volunteers will be on hand every Monday to offer advice, information, support and literature on issues including diet, exercise and subjects such how to break the news to loved ones.

Peter Walker, 59, volunteers at the service and cared for his wife, Linda, for two years as she fought cancer.

After her death in 2009, Mr Walker raised money for the Big C with a sponsored 6,600-mile motorbike ride across Australia – somewhere the couple had planned to visit together.

Mr Walker said: 'Big C is very special to me – the charity supported Linda throughout her illness.

'I like to talk to people and I hope by sharing my experience and the information the Big C offers, I will be able to give something back and help people.'

No appointments are necessary, and the service is open at the Advice Hub every Monday morning, from 10am to 1pm, on the ground floor of the library in the Forum.