A POWERFUL microscope that will assist doctors identify different forms of leukaemia and the best treatment available is to help patients in the North-East.

The sophisticated equipment will be used to study chromosomes in the bone marrow cells to determine the most effective treatment.

The microscope, which is connected to an image analysis system, has been paid for by a £20,000 donation from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

The former Newcastle and England football manager’s widow, Lady Elsie, met a young sufferer who could benefit from the technology at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle yesterday.

She said: “My family and I take great pride in the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and never more so than when we can see the benefits it can provide to local cancer experts.

“We’re very appreciative of all the hard work being undertaken to raise money in aid of the charity and were thrilled to pass the £2.5m mark.

“I know Bob would be so proud to see his legacy continuing to help other people fighting cancer.”

The microscope will be used by the Leukaemia Research Cytogenetics Group to reveal abnormalities in chromosomes to indicate the type of leukaemia a patient has.

The information shows how patients will respond to treatment to ensure they are given the most appropriate therapy and increase survival rates.

Professor Christine Harrison, of the RVI, said: “Although our research is focussed on leukaemia, the techniques we’re using, and the use of the microscope, will be of great value to other researchers in the Northern Institute for Cancer Research.”

Six-year-old Joseph Green, from South Shields, was diagnosed with leukaemia last year and is undergoing treatment that is expected to last three and a half years.

His father, Stephen, said he hoped the technology could help him.