MALMESBURY Abbey will turn purple for World Pancreatic Cancer Day, to shine light on the silent killer.

The Abbey will be joining iconic landmarks around the world such as London's Trafalgar Square and lighting up purple to show support for pancreatic cancer awareness month and to remember those who have sadly died of the disease on Thursday, November 16 at 7pm.

Diana Crowe, church warden at Malmesbury Abbey, said: “Pancreatic cancer suffers from a chronic lack of awareness and funding.

"Malmesbury Abbey is delighted to take part in the Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer campaign. We hope that by lighting up the Abbey in purple, we will help draw attention to a disease that many people still know very little about.

"Sadly, I have a personal connection to this disease as my own father died of pancreatic cancer."

Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is a campaign to spread awareness of the disease which is now the UK's fifth biggest cause of cancer death. Most people are diagnosed when it is too late for surgery. Survival rates are less than 7 per cent.

Despite being the UK's fifth biggest cancer killer, it has historically been underfunded.

Nic Dakin, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer, said: "Pancreatic cancer kills someone every hour and it has the lowest survival rates of the 22 most common cancers.

"It is vital that we raise awareness of this cruel disease. Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is an eye-catching and effective way of raising awareness. Please lend your support to this fantastic cause, it really will make a difference."