A SINGER is urging people in the North-East to change their lifestyle and avoid cancer.

Ronan Keating lost his mother, Marie, 51, to breast cancer in February 1998.

Although he will not be visiting Stockton in person, the star is backing the two-day visit to the town of a mobile unit staffed by specialist nurses.

Keating said: "Because I lost my mother to breast cancer, I understand how frightening the disease can be.

"I'm really pleased to be backing the Cancer Awareness Roadshow, because I believe that knowing more about how cancer can be prevented or picked up early will take away some of the fear and, ultimately, help to save lives.''

The unit arrived in Stockton yesterday and is stationed in the town's High Street today, as part of a collaboration between Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation, set up by the singer and his family.

The aim is to raise awareness of how people can reduce their risk of cancer and spot the signs of the disease at an early stage.

Two units are touring England and Scotland thanks to links between the charities.