A lifeline for lung cancer patients has celebrated its first birthday.

Up to 30 people visit the Lung Cancer Support Group each month, where they are able to meet other sufferers and speak to specialist Macmillan nurses, at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, in St Albans Road, Garston.

The group also provides a chance for carers and relatives to meet other people in the same position.

At its monthly meeting last week, visitors celebrated the special anniversary with cake and relaxation therapy.

Alistair Lawrie, 66, a former Watford policeman, was diagnosed with lung cancer five-and-a-half years ago.

“It's an immediate death sentence when you first hear it,” he said.

“It's difficult to get support so this is fantastic. The worst part of the cancer is not the patient but your partner is going to be there long after and has got years of coping without you.

“I honestly thought I had six weeks to live.”

Following the “devastating effects” of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, it was his wife Eileen who helped him back onto his feet and encouraged him to “fight”.

“I got up and started to look after myself and I started to get out and about and do things. That's the important part of this group. It takes you away from a clinical environment and makes you realise there are people coping. It's not all bad and even if someone says you've got six months, that's not necessarily the case because no-one knows how long you have got.”

The group also welcomes other cancer patients, particularly those suffering from mesothelioma – a cancer of the lung lining that is linked to asbestos.

Judith Turnbull attends the group with her husband Keith, who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2008, aged 63.

He was a non-smoker who enjoyed long walks but discovered he had the terminal illness after he needed to be resuscitated at Watford General Hospital.

The only treatment he was offered was chemotherapy, which would “give him three months”.

But Mrs Turnbull, from Croxley Green, was able to enrol her husband on a government funded research programme in Germany that uses localised chemotherapy and reduces its effects on the body.

He has also had private treatment in the UK to help boost his immune system, both at huge financial costs.

Mrs Turnbull said: “It's very hard. He's been very brave and very positive but there are times when I feel very low.

“This group has been very helpful. It's hard for him and hard for the family.”

Linda Charalambous, a Macmillan clinical nurse specialist for lung cancer, helped set up the group with colleague Claire Taylor one year ago.

The group is now looking for additional funding to help keep it running and to start a newsletter to keep patients informed.

She said: “We have a lot of positive comments from everyone. People really find it helpful.

“The group has definitely taken off. They come and sometimes see us or get support from each other.”

The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month between 2pm and 4pm.

For more information, telephone Linda Charalambous on 01923 217010.