Minogue fans buy thousands of wristbands

Thousands of Kylie Minogue's British fans yesterday bought nearly 10,000 pink wristbands, in support of the singer as she battles breast cancer.

The Spinning Around star announced she has the disease on Tuesday and, in response to a campaign launched by UK newspaper The Sun, charity Breast Cancer Care has now sold almost half of its 20,000 bands.

The charity's wristbands cost €1.50 and are worn to promote breast cancer awareness.

Breast Cancer Care's Nina Kapur says: "Our order line has gone ballistic. We have never seen anything like it."

The charity's Stephanie Brunton adds: "The support from this day alone will fund 500 calls to our helpline."

Australian Minogue, who is based in London, is currently undergoing treatment near her home in Melbourne to beat the cancer before it spreads.