An X Factor-style contest has been launched in the region to help teenage cancer patients and unearth music talent. Health Editor Barry Nelson reports

ROCK legend Roger Daltrey is backing an X Factor-style competition which aims to help teenage cancer patients and discover North-East pop stars at the same time.

As part of the Music Means Life competition, 20 unsigned North-East acts, aged 12 to 21, will appear at live semi-finals.

The six best acts will appear at the final at Rainton Arena, Durham City, on April 24, to be hosted by Jack and Chloe Madeley, the son and daughter of TV presenters Richard and Judy.

More importantly, the contest will allow the existing teenage cancer unit at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary to move into larger, better-equipped accommodation.

Daltrey, lead singer with Sixties rock band The Who, has already supported North-East teenage cancer patients by performing at last year's Bandstand charity concert at the Sage held to raise money for the unit.

Now Daltrey - along with North-East pop stars Journey South and Zoe Birkett - has given his support to Music Means Life.

The teenage cancer unit has only six beds at the moment, but the plan is to increase this to ten after the rebuilding programme is completed.

Because the NHS does not recognise that teenagers need separate cancer facilities, this will only happen if the Teenage Cancer Trust can raise £1.5m.

Two fundraising pop concerts at The Sage, Gateshead, have already helped to raise about half a million pounds.

Yesterday, North-East businessman Gary Thompson, who runs VIP Needs Ltd, launched Music Means Life to help the Teenage Cancer Trust raise the money it needs.

Roger Daltrey could not be at the Newcastle launch but had a message for the organisers. He said: "Teenage Cancer Trust units give our teenagers the moral support to help fight this terrible disease.

"We need more of them so that every teenager in the UK can have access to one."

Andy Pemberton, from Middlesbrough pop duo Journey South, who attended the launch, said: "I think it is a fantastic idea.

"We spent years trying to make it and it was only bY appearing on a show like this that we got the breakthrough we needed."

Zoe Birkett, from Darlington, who got her breakthrough by appearing on the Pop Idol TV show, also attended. She said: "I think this is excellent. The North-East has so many talented people."

The event was also attended by ex-England and Newcastle United football star Peter Beardsley and other celebrities.

Cancer patient Michael Balfour, 17, from South Shields, said the RVI unit was, "fantastic, a second home where you can be yourself and make friends with other teenagers."

From February 1, unsigned musicians from the region can apply by uploading music to the website www.musicmeanslife.com

Tickets information will also be available from the site.