An artist and breast cancer survivor has been talked into putting on her first exhibition in eight years by her students.

Penny Furneaux unveiled 12 new pieces of work inspired by nature and her cancer experience at the Putney School of Art and Design to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Mrs Furneaux, 41, from Tooting, was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2007 and was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She also underwent a mastectomy and reconstruction.

Sadly, her mother, Jenny, was not so lucky and lost her life to the disease in 2008 - her two sisters also carry the same BRACA2 breast cancer gene.

The mother-of-three said: “Continuing the kind of vital work that Cancer Research UK does is so important. As the mum of three young daughters, I’d like to try to help ensure that the progress that has already been made continues as quickly as possible.”