TWO young sisters have been praised for their "uplifting" talk at fundraising lunch for the hospice which cared for their mum before her death.

Megan and Leah Hastings, aged nine and 10, gave a short talk about their mum Nikki, who died from cancer last year aged 40, before the Lewis-Manning Hospice Celebrating Women Lunch last month.

Nikki Hastings former Daily Echo blogger and Breast Cancer Care ambassador, was told she had just months to live, but bravely fought against the disease for six years.

She kept a journal of her experience and blogged on the Daily Echo website in the hope of encouraging and supporting other cancer patients. A book about her incredible journey, called A Life Turned Upside Down, has been published, with all profits going to the Poole hospice.

In the book Nikki talked about how Lewis-Manning helped her come out of a deep depression and helped give her the confidence to continue with the book.

Speaking at the hospice's third Celebrating Women event, which raised nearly £5,000 during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the girls were following in their mum's footsteps, two year's after she had been guest speaker at the inaugural event.

The lunch was hosted by the hospice’s celebrity patron, actress Debra Stephenson, who said: “Seeing Leah and Megan talking about their Mum in such an uplifting and confident way really brought home how positive Nikki’s experience at Lewis-Manning was.

"Nikki’s infectious optimistic attitude touched everyone who came into contact with her, including myself, and the fact that her family have continued to remain so close to Lewis-Manning is testament to the incredible work the hospice does and the care that they not only provide for those who are ill but also for their families.”

Debra added: “The ladies lunch is an unforgettable occasion. I felt privileged to be among such inspirational and warm-hearted people, entertaining and enlightening. It has become a very special occasion for the diary.”