CLATTERBRIDGE Cancer Centre has been given a £20,000 boost to help fund ground-breaking radiotherapy treatment.

Its donation from Chester-based Tessa Briggs charitable trust will be used to fund part of its technique, Papillon.

Robin Jones, a trustee of the trust presented the cheque to The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, accompanied by Lisa Jones of professional services firm, Knights, the lawyers responsible for the legal administration of the Trust.

Maureen Ellison, trusts and major donor manager at Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said: "We were delighted to receive this generous donation from the Tessa Briggs Charitable Trust.

"The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre has led the way in Papillon radiotherapy as the first UK hospital to provide this pioneering form of treatment.

"It offers an alternative to extensive surgery for suitable patients with early rectal cancer, so is particularly helpful for those who are too frail for an operation.

"This donation will fund a study that we hope will enable even more patients to benefit from Papillon treatment in the future.

"The Tessa Briggs Trust funds will be used for a study looking at evidence around the clinical benefits of Papillon treatment.

"It is hoped this will enable even more patients to benefit from Papillon radiotherapy as an alternative to surgery."