A KIDDERMINSTER guitarist who was diagnosed with prostate cancer is holding a series of gigs to raise money and awareness of the disease.

Bill Dodwell, 60, appealed for a venue in The Shuttle to stage a Rock Against Cancer event for Prostate Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.

He said: “I have had a lot of interest from venues in the area who want to stage Rock Against Cancer events so instead of one event, there will now be a series of events over the summer.

“This will obviously lead to a great deal more money being raised for the chosen charities.”

The main event will take place at Stone Manor Hotel on Friday, September 27 with four bands and five solo acts taking to the stage.

Carters Bar in Kidderminster will host the official launch party of Dodfest, named after Mr Dodwell, tomorrow.

Mr Dodwell’s own band Hotwyred will be playing live as well as The Blue Star Band and Jessica Dudley.

Mr Dodwell, who was diagnosed with cancer in January 2012, believes it is playing with the band that keeps him going.

He added: “I am trying to encourage men over 40 to take advantage of the testing evenings run by the local Prostate Cancer Support Group at the town hall at their quarterly meetings.

“Early diagnosis could make all the difference to the long-term survival of the sufferer. If only I had taken my friend’s advice and gone for the test.”

Tomorrow’s launch party begins at 8pm.