CANCER survivors have joined with research scientists to celebrate a major advance for the region.

Thanks to the coming together of national and local charities, a new cancer research facility is being kitted out with £1.25m worth of equipment.

The highly-specialised equipment will be used by scientists at the £11m purpose-built Northern Institute for Cancer Research Paul O'Gorman Building, in Newcastle.

Scientists from four sites across Newcastle University have moved into the building, named after a 14- year-old boy whose family set up the charity, Foundation for Children with Leukaemia.

The centre will act as a powerhouse for research into more effective treatments and help people like Emma Duncan, from Low Fell, Gateshead, and Lorraine Burnett, from Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Emma was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, a disease which killed her mother at the age of 32 and her grandmother when she was 46.

Thanks to advances in treatment, Emma is doing well.

"It is wonderful that all this will be happening here in the North-East," she said.

Lorraine, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2001 has benefited from a pioneering drug called Glivec, trialled by scientists at Newcastle University.

She said: "Research has made all the difference to my life. It's good news for cancer patients everywhere that the new institute is up and running. The funding from all the charities will make a very real difference to people diagnosed with cancer."

Professor Herbie Newell, Professor of Cancer Therapeutics at Newcastle University, said: "People in the North-East now have one of the most advanced cancer research facilities in Europe, here, on their doorstep."

Funding for the equipment is being provided by Cancer Research UK (£500,000), the Leukaemia Research Fund (£300,000), the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund (£300,000) and the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust.