SNOW Patrol fans can wear a unique piece of memorabilia while raising funds for research into cancer thanks to the creative efforts of Ash bassist Mark Hamilton.

The Downpatrick musician is selling 115 new pieces of jewellery made out of strings played by his friends in Snow Patrol during their US tour earlier this year.

It comes after a series of bangles fashioned from his band's used guitar and bass strings were sold to raise funds for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

"I was amazed at the success of the first wave of bangles," he said.

"I posted about them on my personal Facebook page and in minutes they were all sold. We raised £1,200 for charity from used strings that would've otherwise been thrown in landfill."

Hamilton chose Cancer Focus NI as the recipient of the proceeds for his mother Miriam, one of the founder members of the charity's Downpatrick support who is battling breast cancer for a third time.

She was diagnosed with breast cancer 34 years ago when she was just 31 and had three young children.

It is the charity's 50th anniversary and members aim to raise £100,000 to pay for pioneering local breast cancer research at Queen's University Belfast.

New York-based Hamilton hopes to add another £3,000 to the total raised with sales from this latest batch of bangles.

"This second wave of strings were all played onstage during Snow Patrol's US tour earlier this year," he said.

"My friend Nathan Connelly (guitarist) had their roadies save and label the strings every day the guitars were changed. I knew Gary (Lightbody) had previously fundraised for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland and the guys were all really happy to be involved.

"They handed over the strings on the day of Ward Park 3 which was an unbelievable event."

The limited number of bangles are available in a selection of sizes and colours from rose gold acoustic and silver electric sets from Gary, Pablo's heavier bass strings, Nathan's silver electric and Johnny's gold acoustic strings.

The Snow Patrol #RockBangles are on sale for £25-£30 each on www.markhamiltonartist.com/shop

Anyone with any concerns about cancer can call the charity’s free information and advice NurseLine on 0800 783 3339.