STAFF at a Wirral-based support centre for people living with cancer have celebrated the third anniversary of its opening.

Maggie's Merseyside was opened at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre on June 23, 2014 by photographer, vegetarian cookery writer and honorary Maggie's Patron Mary McCartney, daughter of Paul and Linda McCartnery.

Since then there have been more than 32,280 visits to the centre, which was co-founded by Maggie and Charles Jencks.

Kathy Wright, centre head said: "I feel very proud to see Maggie's Merseyside at Clatterbridge celebrate its third birthday.

"It is a privilege to be able to offer support and a offer a warm Maggie's welcome to men and women of all ages affected by cancer from across Merseyside and Cheshire.

"We're supported by a wonderful team of growing volunteers, some of whom have been with us from the very beginning and we couldn't do it without their fantastic contribution.

"Every year our Maggie's community develops and grows, but as always the kitchen table and our evidence-based programme of support is at the heart of all that happens here.

"I am incredibly proud to be Maggie's Centre Head and I look forward to welcoming many more people to our Centre in the years to come.

"Anyone affected by cancer is welcome to drop in 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. No appointment is needed."

To celebrate turning three Maggie's is hosting a birthday BBQ a week on Friday, June 30 between 2-4pm.

All are welcome, RSVP to clatterbridgefundraising@maggiescentres.org to book your place.

Co-founder Maggie Keswick Jencks was a writer, a landscape designer, a painter and a mother of two.

In 1993, she was told that her breast cancer had recurred and spread to her bones, liver and brain and that she had three months to live.

But by joining a trial involving advanced chemotherapy, Maggie extended her life by a further 18 months - and it was in this time that her idea for a cancer caring centre was born.

She talked to her medical team at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh about a place to help their patients with the very real, if not medical, problems of living with cancer.

She drew up a blueprint and plans for a pioneering venture, in a stable block in the grounds of the hospital.

Maggie died in July, 1995. The first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh in November of 1996.

To find out more about visit maggiescentres.org/our-centres/maggies-merseyside