A pledge made by Prime Minister Tony Blair today to cut the number of cancer deaths could benefit a campaign to boost services in north Essex.

This is Essex partner paper the Gazette is leading a campaign for a cancer centre of excellence in Colchester and the Government has promised to reduce deaths by 60,000 over the next ten years.

This would mean a 20 per cent cut in deaths from the disease in people under 75 by the year 2010.

Cancers claim around 150,000 lives each year in the UK and account for a fifth of the total number of deaths.

Mr Blair was also expected to announce a new highly-specialised Cancer Action Team to try to drive up treatment standards in the NHS.

However it is not clear if any extra cash will be available to carry out the Prime Minister's pledge.

Health chiefs from North Essex Health Authority and Suffolk Health Authority are deciding where cancer services should be provided.

Tendring residents are currently treated in Colchester, but many say it would be too far for them to travel if services were in Ipswich.

Colchester MP Bob Russell has today written to Mr Blair asking him to support the campaign.

"If you do want to see improvements in the treatment of cancer, and I do not doubt your sincerity when you say this, then this cannot be achieved by reducing the service which is currently available in Colchester."

Thousands of north Essex residents have pledged their support for the Evening Gazette's campaign.

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