THE winner of BBC’s MasterChef 2016 visited a Basingstoke supermarket to launch a cancer campaign.

Jane Devonshire met staff at Asda, in Brighton Hill, where she launched the store’s Tickled Pink campaign to raise money for Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now.

The cooking champion, who faced her own 10-year cancer battle, wore a pink top for the occasion to kick-start the supermarket’s fundraising drive, which has been running for 20 years.

Launched in 1996, Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign has raised more than £48 million, transforming the work of both charities, which focus on helping anyone affected by breast cancer receive the best care, support and information, as well as funding research into the disease.

This year the campaign is expected to exceed the £50 million fundraising mark, with the Basingstoke shop playing a vital role in this through in-store activities including a tombola and lucky dip.

Mrs Devonshire, a mother-of-four who lives in Hampshire, said: “I found a lump in the shower 10 years ago and when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, life just stopped. It was horrendous not just for me but for the family.

“I’ve used Breast Cancer Care’s support services and know how vital they can be during such a difficult time, and I’m also backing Breast Cancer Now’s research to find a cure. That’s why I’m delighted to be here to say thank you to Asda’s colleagues in Basingstoke for all their hard work fundraising for Tickled Pink.”

Julie Gary, community champion at Asda Basingstoke, said: “We are delighted to support two fantastic charities that make a real difference to people affected by breast cancer.

“It was fantastic to welcome Jane to help launch our local campaign. Our colleagues and customers across Hampshire and the rest of the UK have always been incredibly supportive of our fundraising activities and I know this time will be no different as we look to surpass £50 million.

“We want all our customers to show their pride and help us raise even more vital funds by making their own pink statement under the banner Proud to be Pink – enabling both charities to continue to be there for anyone facing breast cancer, from day one.”

Asda Basingstoke is holding a host of fundraisers this month.