The Elstree Cancer Centre was transformed into a Milan-inspired fashion house as patients took to the catwalk.

Supported by friends and family, 12 models showed off a range of casual day wear and more glamorous evening wear from department store John Lewis’s autumn collection, with themes including animal print and winter florals.

Make-up artists from Lancôme were on hand to pamper the models before they took to the catwalk, while Eva Wilson, personal stylist at John Lewis in Brent Cross, compered the show.

Model and patient Pipa Oliveri was involved in the fashion show, held at the centre on Tuesday evening, after discovering she had breast cancer last year.

Following surgery, she visited the Elstree Cancer Centre for daily radiotherapy, which finished two months ago.

The 44-year-old said: “Having cancer is not just about fighting a disease - it can make you reassess who you are and what you’re doing. It has certainly changed me. I wouldn’t have done anything like be involved in a fashion show a year ago, but I just thought ‘why not?’

“It has raised money for charities, was good fun, and seeing me doing my catwalk-walk certainly gave my children something to laugh about.”

The annual show, which is run by Cancer Patients UK and included male patients for the first time, is in its fourth year and was well-attended with more than 100 people showing up on the night.

Steve Wheatley, 35, was diagnosed with colon and lung cancer, and is currently undergoing daily treatment. He said: “My hands and feet are still a little unsteady due to the high dose of chemo that I’ve had, but I was still happy to take part.

“I was facing a bad picture at the beginning of the year and even when I agreed to take part I was pretty unwell. However, last week I found out that the colon cancer is now clear so the fashion show has definitely come at the right time for me.

“It was good to be part of such a fun, up-beat and positive evening.”

A raffle and an auction were also held on the night, with lots including a selection of Arsenal Football Club merchandise and signed photos.

Sam Roberts, centre support co-ordinator at the centre, said: “What a fantastic evening. Everyone looked fabulous, and it was so nice to see some of our male patients getting involved this year.

"We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for the evening or donated things for the auction and raffle which helped us raise so much money.”