RESEARCHERS have been awarded £180,000 to investigate the relationship between diet and cancer.

Professor John Hesketh, of Newcastle University, and his team have been given £80,000 to look into the high incidence of colon cancer in North-East Scotland.

Prof Hesketh said: "The results of our study will enhance existing knowledge of the relationship of diet, nutrition and cancer and it will hopefully provide a scientific basis for dietary advice to prevent colon cancer.

"We hope also that from the results of our research it will be possible to pinpoint those at high risk of developing cancer and therefore design strategies to prevent the disease occurring."

Another grant of £100,000 has been awarded to Dr Dianne Ford and her team at the university to research how isoflavones, a naturally occurring anti-oxidant found in beans and pulses, work in the body to help protect against cancer of the breast, prostate and colon.

Dr Ford said: "Research undertaken so far has shown us that foods rich in isoflavones, such as soya beans, may help protect against several types of cancer.