UK cancer survival is still below the average in Europe, despite of improvement since the first Cancer Plan was introduced in 2000.

Health secretary, Alan Johnson announced the current plans, which will feature a £370m investment by 2010, which will include faster drug approval and more funding for radiotherapy.

There will also be a possible clampdown on the vending of cigarettes and the use of sunbeds.

Women from the world of rallying have posed for a racy 2008 charity calendar - but not the nude variety favoured by some female organisations.

Rally ace Richard Burns, who died from cancer two years ago, was an inspiration to people within the world of motorsport and his memory lives on in the Richard Burns Foundation.

For 2008, women involved in all aspects of rallying have joined forces for the Pacenotes & Pearls charity calendar to raise money for the foundation.

Calendar stars include the world's greatest-ever female rally driver Michele Mouton, World Rally Championship co-driver Gemma Price, plus Natalie Barrett and Pauline Gullick.

Personalities also include Holly Robinson, Toni Kelly, Alyson Marlow and Becky Kirvan, with a supporting cast of photographers, organisers and make-up artists. Innes Marlow, himself a former rally driver, photographed the rally girls at Somerley House in Ringwood and DeVere New Place in Hampshire.

Calendar organiser Paula Alderman says:
"Richard has inspired so many people and everyone I asked to be involved in producing the calendar jumped at the chance. Drivers, co-drivers, technicians and rally co-ordinators are all featured in the calendar, which sees the women photographed a world away from rallying, but with some sporty touches."

Just 2,000 calendars are up for grabs at £10 each plus postage. Order online at http://www.pacenotesandpearls.co.uk or email Paula Alderman at rob@alderman86.freeserve.co.uk.