BROADCASTER Sir Michael Parkinson has been announced as patron of the independent regional charity Yorkshire Cancer Research.

The Yorkshire-born broadcaster has agreed to support the charity following his own experience with prostate cancer.

The 80-year-old was given the all-clear by doctors last summer following two years of treatment.

Yorkshire has the third worst cancer incidence rates in England, and the charity’s goal is to ensure that by 2025 at least 2,000 more people in the county will survive cancer every year.

Sir Michael said: “I’m very proud to be a Yorkshireman, and I was surprised and upset to learn that cancer outcomes in the county are not good as other parts of the UK. Having been diagnosed and treated for cancer myself, I understand how important it is to have access to the very best treatments and care.

“I believe that everyone should have an equal chance of living a long and healthy life, so I am delighted to support the work of Yorkshire Cancer Research and help them address these unacceptable inequalities.”

For more information about Yorkshire Cancer Research visit ycr.org.uk.