A BIG hearted Evesham girl has raised hundreds for a cancer charity by selling reindeer food.

Tia Merrett first began making and selling the food for World Pancreatic Cancer Day held in November. But as the initiative became so popular the 10-year-old decided to continue to sell the packs in the run up to Christmas.

With the support of family and friends she made more than 300 packs, having sold 200 by the start of December.

Sandra Francis, a voluntary regional representative for Pancreatic Cancer Action, is a family friend and praised Tia for the fundraising.

Mrs Francis' husband Pete Francis was diagnosed with the disease in 2011 and died in December 2012, just days after his 70th birthday.

Ever since the Grandmother-of-five has raised funds and campaigned for funding towards treating the disease, the fifth most deadly form of cancer.

Mrs Francis said: "Tia has continued to make these little packs and has now sold over £500 worth, which is simply amazing, which will be sent onto Pancreatic Cancer Action between Christmas and New Year.

"Her parents are friends of myself and my late husband and the little girl has a huge heart and a big community spirit.

"What a wonderful Christmas story.

"All the symptoms of this vile disease are there to read at worldpancreaticcancerday.org/

"This is a cancer that needs more funding and more awareness of the symptoms to save lives."