It may be unconventional, but the Royal Marsden Hospital is introducing something different in its support services for cancer patients.

Volunteers from charity Look Good Feel Better were invited into the wards this week to host free makeover workshops as part of a new programme to help women living with cancer.

Ten patients were given handy makeover tips from four beauticians and also received a box of products from a variety of top brands including Clinique, Clarins and Lancome, donated by local stores.

Ward clerk Wendy Hinds, of Kennaway Ward, said: "This is something new we have launched at the Royal Marsden in Sutton. Our patients were given beauty tips and advice and volunteers helped them with their enquiries regarding make-up.

"The Look Good Feel Better programme is a cancer support service for women living with cancer who can get professional advice on their appearance following treatment. This is useful as during treatment, a patients' skin can change.

"We will be holding workshops monthly.

"We also had two patients from the paediatric unit and are considering hosting special teenage beauty workshops."