Patients in Cumbria are to benefit from a new cancer care centre.

The �500,000 unit will be based at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary.

The centre was funded through charitable donations and cash from the area's health trusts.

This move will combine current cancer services at the infirmary and will focus on screening for breast cancer.

Combined services

Final plans are due to be discussed by the board of the North Cumbria Acute Hospital Trust.

Trust director of finance, Chris Macklin said: "The opportunity arose to use unused buildings on the Cumberland Infirmary site.

"This has saved us about �3.5m, but will give us exactly the same facilities and let us combine all the hospital's cancer services in one place.

"We have been very fortunate with funding, even Bargain Hunt presenter David Dickinson held a charity auction for us."