Macmillan cancer nurse Kath Young is known locally as the "car park nurse".

For her post is funded in a very unusual way - through cash raised by the sale of tickets in a car park in Ashton, Tameside, Greater Manchester.

Shoppers parking in the car park, named the Macmillan Cancer Relief Car park, are told that their fees are going directly towards funding the �125,000 three-year nursing post.

Any extra cash raised will also be directed to the charity's cancer relief fund.

Funding

Kath said her post would be funded by the charity for three years and then the funding will be taken over by the health authority.

"I am now known as the car park nurse.

I am now known as the car park nurse

Kath Young

"But it is very nice that people can see the benefits and where their money is going," she said.

Tameside Council came up with the innovative idea after hearing there was a need for funding for a specialist nurse to work at Tameside Hospital offering support and care to people newly diagnosed with cancer.

Council leader, councillor Roy Oldham said: "This is a direct way for people to support charity - at no extra cost to themselves - and to keep our streets safer for pedestrians."

Gesture

Maureen Parson, of Macmillan, said they were delighted by the gesture.

"We are used to people doing amazing things to raise money for Macmillan but Tameside Council has come up with something that is unique.

"It's such a simple idea - but the result will mean more people have the support of a Macmillan nurse when they really need it."