Stockton cancer campaigner who was praised by Kylie Minogue dies

Wendy Clarke was raising awareness for cervical cancer

A Teesside woman who was praised by Kylie Minogue for her cervical cancer campaigning has died.

Wendy Clarke, from Fairfield, Stockton, urged others to go for their smear tests after regretting missing hers because of "fear and embarrassment".

She died peacefully at Teesside Hospice aged 46 after being told her cervical cancer was terminal back in January.

Her parents have thanked the hospice team for the "world-class" care she received in her final weeks.

Mother-of-two Wendy won the BBC Radio Tees Make A Difference Bravery Award in September.

She had been working to raise awareness of cervical cancer and hoped her story would go on to save "even one life".

Her parents Graeme and Dorothy said Wendy would be delighted her message would continue to be heard "far and wide" through a BBC local radio Christmas special.

'So proud of you'

Wendy and Kylie, 55, spoke in the Make A Difference Kylie Special, which will be broadcast across BBC Local Radio at 09:00 GMT on Boxing Day.

The singer, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, and given the all-clear the following year, told Wendy she was "so proud" of her for everything she was doing.

"To be handling the information and the diagnosis and just getting through day by day - I can appreciate that, I share some of your story," Kylie said.

"But to be translating that into empowering other people and doing such amazing things, I could only just say thank you for these acts of bravery and selflessness and really finding the spirit within yourself and allowing others around you to reaffirm life in this moment, it's just incredible."

Kylie Minogue praised Wendy for her bravery

There are about 3,200 new cervical cancer cases in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK.

The majority of cases are preventable and the government has pledged to eliminate the disease by 2040.

Wendy will also feature in the Best of the Make A Difference Award Winners special on Friday 29 December at 09:00 GMT.

If you are affected by the issues in this story, you can find support from BBC Action Line.