A cancer unit that the Northampton Chronicle and Echo helped to set up is to receive more than £8m of Government cash.

The Department of Health has announced the £8.3m pay-out for the Northamptonshire Centre for Oncology, at Northampton General Hospital, which is seen as a national centre of excellence in cancer care.

The newly-opened centre is being paid for with £1.5m raised by readers of the Chronicle & Echo and Macmillan Cancer Relief, and the Government windfall will boost the service even further.

Rupert Egginton, hospital director of finance, said: "The trust is indebted to the support given by the Chronicle & Echo to the successful Macmillan appeal.

"This raised the profile of cancer services across the county and provided the new oncology outpatients and chemotherapy area at Northampton General Hospital."

The trust is now planning further developments for cancer services, particularly in radiotherapy, and the grant should speed up tests, results, treatment, and waiting times for patients.