Fashion designer Stella McCartney was in the region today to show her support for patients who are battling cancer.

The world-renowned designer, whose mother, Linda McCartney, died of breast cancer five years ago, planted a silver birch to mark the official opening of the new holistic cancer care centre on Teesside.

The 32-year-old, who recently tied the knot with Middlesbrough-born Alasdhair Willis, said she was "honoured" to be associated with the new centre, which offers a quiet refuge for cancer patients and access to complementary therapies within 100 yards of the main radiotherapy unit.

"I really believe in what they are trying to do here," she told The Northern Echo.

"Anyone who knows anyone who has gone through cancer knows that you have to readjust your life. It is so important to look at yourself, inside and outside and try to heal yourself on different kinds of level," said McCartney, whose father Paul recently became a father again.

The holistic centre, based in grounds of the James Cook University Hospital, opened its doors to patients in July this year - nine years after a huge fundraising project was launched.

Already more than £700,000 of a £1million target has been raised by the public.

Centre manager Sue Stephenson, who was one of the appeal founders back in 1989, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Stella has taken time out of her busy schedule to come here and open the centre. It means a lot to us.

"We wanted the opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years and show people the fantastic facility we have.

"Already the response from patients using the complementary therapies has been really positive.

"Many have said it has provided pain relief, reduced stress and improved their quality of life, helping them to feel in control again."

After the ceremony McCartney met ex-patients, and supporters of the centre.

Simply dressed in black jacket and trousers and wearing large dark glasses to hide an eye infection the top-rated designer revealed that she is just finishing a new collection.

She praised hospital staff for being so supportive of complementary medicine, including consultant oncology Dr Peter Dunlop, who has enthusiastically backed the holistic centre.

"I do think it is fantastic when you meet doctors and other health care workers who encourage other forms of medicine," she said. .