AN American doctor who has given new hope to "incurable" North-East cancer patients is to work in the UK.

Dr Gil Lederman claims to be able to successfully treat 95 per cent of patients, including some who are told their cancers are inoperable.

Now he has told The Northern Echo he has talked to the NHS about working part-time in the UK so he can treat more British patients.

This was greeted with enthusiasm by North-East families who, until now, have had to fly to the US for the unique treatment offered by Dr Lederman.

The New York specialist has developed a revolutionary way of using radiotherapy to tackle difficult-to- treat tumours. One of his recent celebrity patients was ex-Beatle George Harrison.

Unfortunately, in Harrison's case, the cancer was too advanced for treatment.

Dr Lederman is expected to speak to an audience of doctors, nurses, patients and carers at a specially arranged event at the Tall Trees Hotel, in Yarm, near Stockton, on Sunday.

Speaking from Staten Island University Hospital, Dr Lederman said: "I believe this technology is something that could be available to anybody. I have treated scores of British patients, maybe hundreds, including some very prominent people."

Dr Lederman said he approached NHS representatives last week and asked whether it would be possible to come to Britain on a part-time basis.

"I believe it is possible," he said.

One of his success stories is 47-year-old Lenny Kirk, a former tanker driver from Stockton, who is now in remission after being treated by Dr Lederman.

Mr Kirk, who was given only months to live by British doctors two years ago, is the main mover behind his visit to the region.

"Yes, it would be great if Dr Lederman could do some work over here," said Mr Kirk, who responded well after his lung and lymph gland tumours were treated with super-strength radiation.

"I have told him you have got to come to the North-East because we have such high rates of cancer. This is where we need him," said Mr Kirk, who was treated after friends and family raised more than £22,000.

Mr Kirk is one of more than 30 North-East patients who have sought help from Dr Lederman.

For more information about Sunday's meeting, contact (01642) 800246.

* For the full story see tomorrow's Health Page.