THE Macmillan County Durham appeal has topped the half a million pound mark - well ahead of schedule.

The news is a tremendous boost for Macmillan Cancer Relief and its supporters.

Two years ago, Macmillan announced the County Durham appeal to improve services for cancer patients and their families in the area.

Originally, the charity believed it would take three years to get anywhere near the £600,000 target.

But Macmillan officials have confirmed that the appeal has raised more than £500,000 - with a full year of fundraising still to go.

"It is an absolutely fantastic achievement," said Caroline Peacock, co-manager of the Durham appeal. "I just want to thank all the wonderful people who have supported us so well.

"The more we can raise, the more we can do to help people with cancer.

"If we could crack £750,000, we could have a breast care specialist nurse as well."

The fund, which has already increased the number of specially-trained nurses and medical consultants working with cancer patients in County Durham, was close to the half-million mark just before the recent concert by North-East singer Kath Ireland and others at the Elvet Methodist Church, in Durham.

The sell-out event, which included the Durham University Choral Society under James Lancelot and members of the Ormston Singers, raised more than £2,000.

This is expected to be boosted by matched funding from the HBOS bank.

Mrs Peacock also thanked Lycetts of Newcastle and MetroMail, which sponsored the printing costs of the concert and the interval refreshments.

Most of the Durham cash has been raised by individual supporters.

"The generosity is quite amazing. Recently, we raised £4,000 in one week by collecting at the Morrisons supermarket in Bishop Auckland," said Mrs Peacock.

Macmillan plans to open three information points, in Durham, Shotley Bridge and Easington.

Carers in Easington are also benefiting from a scheme organised by Macmillan, but mainly funded by the Lottery-backed New Opportunities Fund.