It has been waiting for a new linear accelerator which it was awarded by the government in May 2004, but it has had to find the cash to house it.

The Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust are meeting on Tuesday to approve a business plan to put it into operation.

Two machines currently operate at the hospital, but one needs to be replaced.

Third accelerator

Last year the government offered to replace the original machine, which was installed 10 years ago, from its Cancer Equipment Replacement Programme and gave �200,000 towards building a bunker to house it.

A business case has now been drawn up to ask for the rest of the cost from the Strategic Health Authority (SHA).

More than 1,000 people already use the machines and doctors warn that waiting times will rise if the hospital loses one of them.

The hospital could need a third linear accelerator in 10 years because of population increases and a predicted rise in cancer rates.

The hospital's trust board is being asked to agree to approve the business case, support the application to the SHA for funding for the capital work and agree to building work starting once funding is secured.