A WOMAN who has twice beaten cancer herself has spooky plans to raise cash in memory of friends who have died from the disease.

Karen Connors, 50, will spend the night in The Cage, St Osyth, a medieval prison said to be haunted by witches who were imprisoned there.

Along with friend Belinda Munson, Karen hopes to raise money for Essex County Hospital, St Helena Hospice , and the East Anglian Children's Hospice.

The pair are taking on the challenge in memory of their best friend, as well as Karen’s father and her partner’s mother, who were all treated or cared for at the two centres, but Karen also has her own personal reasons for taking on the ghoulish challenge.

Karen was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer in 1998 aged just 37, and doctors did not expect her to live. But after treatment with chemo- and radiotherapy she lived to fight another day - only to be diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2005.

Fortunately this time the disease was detected early and a swift operation was all it took for Karen to beat cancer for a second time.

Karen, of Military Road, Colchester, said: “I wanted to do something unique and have been trying to think of all sorts."

She read about The Cage in the press and came up with the idea of contacting the owner and doing something there. They will spend the night on November 1, the day after Hallowe'en.

“I have always been interested in that sort of stuff though a bit sceptical,” said Karen.

“I’m determined to go on and do it. My family think I’m a bit mad for doing it."

Karen is setting up donation accounts next week, to be kept up-to-date on how to sponsor her contact karenjmassey50@hotmail.com .