GAINING information and support on living with cancer is becoming as easy as a trip to the library in Gwent, thanks to an ongoing Macmillan Cancer Support project.

January 11 will see the official launch of the Macmillan cancer information service for Monmouthshire, which will allow people to drop in to the borough’s local libraries for help and advice from a Macmillan information and support co-ordinator.

The new service comes after a successful year which the project has had in Torfaen and ahead of the launch of a similar service in Blaenau Gwent.

Erica Sheppard is the new Macmillan Monmouthshire cancer support and information coordinator and will be based at the six libraries throughout Monmouthshire, providing at least one drop-in service at each library every month.

Ms Sheppard said: “We offer good-quality information on a wide range of areas for people who have had a cancer diagnosis, are going through treatment or have survived cancer.”

People will also be able to book confidential sessions.

The new Monmouthshire service follows the successful project in Torfaen, where information and support co-ordinator Norah Williams has been working at Cwmbran, Blaenavon and Pontypool libraries.

During the past year, more than 500 people have accessed the Torfaen service taking away more than 3,500 pieces of information.

The Blaenau Gwent service, which will be provided in six libraries, is expected to be launched during the first quarter of next year, with information and support co-ordinator Lorna Relph.

The first Monmouthshire dropin session will be held at Abergavenny library on January 11, from 10am until 12pm and from 2pm until 4.30pm For more information, call 01873 735980 or email macmil lan@monmouthshire.gov.uk For more details on the Torfaen service, call 01633 647654 or e-mail macmillan.cwmbran@torfaen.gov.uk