A woman who beat cancer twice is urging shops, businesses and toilet walls to advertise the symptoms of bowel cancer.

Helen Jones, of Lake Road, Wimbledon, who had surgery for bowel cancer in 2009, won a national award for her charity work.

Beating Bowel Cancer dedicates the Patient Award to people who have battled bowel cancer who now support others with the condition.

Ms Jones, 58, said: "It is vital people are aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer so that they seek help early.

"It’s the second biggest cancer killer but it doesn’t have to be if only it is caught early, so people need to know the symptoms and go to see their doctor early.

"I really want more local shops, businesses, churches and places of worship putting up posters of what the symptoms are.

"Toilets are a great place, because the symptoms are personal, so people can take the time to read in private."

She added the different between catching symptoms and leaving it too late can be huge.

She said: "I have been very well for four years after such a serious diagnosis. I want to try and maybe help somebody else go on for four years.

"My husband’s brother-in-law died and left a wife and kids - they were devastated. It’s absolutely crucial to get the word out."

She volunteers her time assisting the team at the Teddington-based charity, but said raising awareness is the most important thing she has done.