South Wales Evening Post readers have been praised by Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan for raising more than £1m for the new South West Wales Cancer Centre.

The paper more than doubled its original target to help fund the £12m facility and nearby breast care unit, which was opened by Mr Morgan and health minister Jane Hutt nearly two-and-a-half years after the first brick was laid in the grounds of Singleton Hospital.

The Evening Post launched its appeal in September 1998, but when the £500,000 target was reached three months early, the paper decided to Make it a Million and went on to raise £1,007,648.

Opening the centre, Mr Morgan said: "We have a great deal to celebrate today.

"Having radiotherapy, chemotherapy, academic work and cancer research all under one roof is unique in Wales.

"The involvement of the public via the Evening Post was so important, not only in terms of fundraising, but in raising public awareness about cancer."

Swansea NHS Trust chairman Hugh Thomas said the cancer centre was much needed, replacing a radiotherapy department dating back to the 1960s, and linear accelerator equipment nearing the end of its life.

He said: "The generosity of the community must not be forgotten.

"I must give a big thank you to all those people who helped the £1m fund under the leadership of the Evening Post."

• The building of the cancer centre began in February 2002 and was spread over four phases of new build, extension and refurbishment of existing premises.

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