A MULTI-million pound centre to lead the fight against childhood cancer has opened its doors.

Author and former Durham University chancellor Bill Bryson returned to the North-East to open the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre at Newcastle University.

The £5.5million laboratory will allow clinical and research experts from Newcastle University and the Great North Children’s Hospital to work together to fight childhood cancers.

Patron Bill Bryson said: “I have been personally touched by the experience of a friend’s young son who fought leukaemia with the help of researchers and clinicians in Newcastle.

“I am honoured to have been part of the campaign as nothing is more important than defeating childhood cancer, and I have rarely encountered a group of people more devoted and talented than those who will be working in this centre.”

Around 1,600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in the UK and many long-term survivors suffer from chronic health problems related to their original therapy.

The centre will focus on developing less toxic therapies with fewer side-effects, more effective treatment options for youngsters with advanced cancer and those whose illness has returned.

The centre has laboratory space for more than 100 staff and office accommodation for 12 senior researchers.

The news was welcomed by the parents of 12-year-old Emma Bell, from Middlesbrough, who needed five months of chemotherapy at the Great North Children’s Hospital after a myeloid sarcoma the size of a large orange was found growing behind her nose.

Her family have since raised £9,500 for the charity.

Mum Lindsey, 42, said: “Emma was amazingly strong throughout her treatment and it was an incredibly difficult period as she lost all her hair.

“It is fantastic that a world-leading Childhood Cancer Research Centre has opened in Newcastle as it offers hope that everything possible is being done to give children with cancer a better future.

“We do worry Emma’s illness may one day return, so we very much welcome all the research that will be carried out at the centre to develop treatments for young people affected by cancer.”