The drive aims to improve clinical research facilities for diabetics

The move aims to significantly improve research facilities at Dundee's Ninewells Hospital as well as the city's medical school.

The money will also be used to extend clinical research programmes in Perth and Kinross and Angus.

NHS Tayside will provide funding for the campaign, including �650,000 from the authority's endowment fund.

The campaign will ensure that doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff work more closely with researchers and scientists to improve diabetes treatments.

There is an urgent need to strengthen the clinical research facilities across Tayside and Perth for people with diabetes. Prof Andrew Morris Diabetic specialist

Perthshire businessman Michael Archibald, who suffers from diabetes, said he wanted the drive to appeal to people across Tayside and Perthshire.

"It's crucial that people realise the seriousness of the rising incidence of diabetes and how improved clinical research facilities can have a real impact on patients' lives," said Mr Archibald, who is chairing the fund-raising campaign.

The campaign, which aims to hit the �3m mark over two years, will support three major initiatives, including modernising outpatient clinical research facilities in Angus, Perth and Dundee.

Track record

The dedicated diabetes laboratories at Ninewells Hospital will also be extended and an international researcher will be taken on to bridge the gap between the laboratories and clinics.

Diabetic specialist Professor Andrew Morris said Dundee already had a strong international track record on diabetes research.

But he added: "There is an urgent need to strengthen the clinical research facilities across Tayside and Perth for people with diabetes who so willingly support the research effort.

"Creating an adequate infrastructure will accelerate the research effort, expanding what current researchers are able to achieve and create a research environment which will attract other leading researchers into Tayside."