A NEW centre designed to help cancer sufferers and their families is to open in east Durham later this year.

Ahead of the opening, an appeal has gone out for volunteers to work in the important new venture.

The Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centre is to be sited in the Castle Dene Shopping Centre, in Peterlee.

The centre has evolved through a partnership between Macmillan Cancer Relief and Easington Primary Care Trust.

Work on totally refurbishing a shop unit in the Castle Dene Centre will begin on Monday. It is expected to be completed by December and ready for use early next year.

A spokesman for the venture said: "People living in the area who have been affected by cancer have stressed the importance of having someone to listen to them.''

The findings have prompted the project to seek a large number of trained volunteers who can spend time listening to concerns and giving practical advice.

To date, eight people have come forward to give their time to help people living with cancer.

Each of those who have come forward are already participating in a volunteer training programme so they can provide information, practical help and support to anyone who is affected by the disease.

The spokesman said organisers were grateful to the eight volun- teers.

He added: "More people are needed to ensure that this service will meet the needs of the people of Easington.

"If people think they have what it takes to be a volunteer at the new cancer support centre then a recruitment event has been specially planned."

It will take place today in the music room at Peterlee Community College' town centre site between 1.30pm and 5.30pm.