Around 800 people are currently taking part in 70

Radiotherapy is used to treat many cancers

different trials on all types of cancers, including breast, bladder and prostate cancers.

The trial are organised by the Wales Cancer Trials Network.

Set up three years ago, the network's aim is to help doctors work together to increase the number of cancer trials carried out across Wales, and to make it easier for patients in all parts of the country to take part in trials if they want to.

The new funding will allow a further expansion.

Research nurses

The aim is that 10% cent of all Welsh cancer patients - a total of 1, 500 each year - will take part in clinical trials by the year 2004.

The funding will allow nine new research nurses to be appointed.

Their work will include explaining to patients how clinical trials work, and to support the people taking part in them.

The money will be the biggest boost for cancer research in Wales since May 2001, when the National Lottery announced it was putting �8.5m into 47 cancer projects.

The money from the New Opportunities' Living with Cancer programme went towards cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care.