JK Rowling is the Edinburgh centre's patron

The organisation provides a range of services for cancer sufferers, including art therapy, group support, breast cancer care and support for friends and family.

The Heritage Lottery Fund grant means work can begin on the Glasgow centre, which will be created out of the derelict gatehouse in Kelvingrove Park.

As well as being a rare Scottish Baronial style building, it is also convenient for a nearby oncology centre and Glasgow University.

The centre is expected to welcome about 20,000 people a year.

Last year Harry Potter author JK Rowling raised thousands of pounds for Maggie's Centres at a special book reading in Glasgow.

Historic buildings

The writer is also patron of the Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh.

The Glasgow project is receiving one of nine grants handed out to historic buildings on Tuesday in a �2.5m windfall.

Others benefiting from the fund include St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh, Clatt Auld Kirk near Huntly and Finnart St Paul's in Greenock.

The Heritage Lottery Fund gives grants to support a wide range of projects involving the local, regional and national heritage of the UK.