FASHION designer Stella McCartney was in the region yesterday to show her support for patients battling cancer.

The renowned designer, whose mother, Linda McCartney, died of breast cancer five years ago, planted a silver birch to mark the opening of a holistic cancer care centre on Teesside.

The 32-year-old, who recently tied the knot with Middlesbrough-born Alasdhair Willis, said she was honoured to be associated with the centre, which offers a quiet refuge for cancer patients and access to complementary therapies within 100 yards of the main radiotherapy unit.

"I really believe in what they are trying to do here," she told The Northern Echo.

"Anyone who knows someone who has gone through cancer knows that you have to re-adjust your life. It is so important to look at yourself, inside and outside to try to heal yourself on different kinds of level," said McCartney, whose father, Sir Paul, recently became a father again.

The holistic centre, based in the grounds of the James Cook University Hospital, opened its doors to patients in July - nine years after a fundraising project was launched. More than £700,000 of a £1m target has been raised by the public.

Centre manager Sue Stephenson, who was one of the appeal founders in 1989, said: "We are absolutely delighted Stella has taken time out of her busy schedule to come here and open the centre. It means a lot to us.

"We wanted the opportunity to say thank-you to everyone who has supported us over the years and to show people the fantastic facility we have.

"Already, the response from patients using the complementary therapies has been really positive.

"Many have said it has provided pain relief, reduced stress and improved their quality of life, helping them to feel in control again."

After the ceremony, McCartney met ex-patients, and supporters of the centre.

Simply dressed in black jacket and trousers, and wearing large dark glasses to hide an eye infection, the designer revealed she was close to finishing a new collection.

She praised hospital staff for being so supportive of complementary medicine, including consultant oncologist Dr Peter Dunlop, who has enthusiastically backed the holistic centre.

"I do think it is fantastic when you meet doctors and other health care workers who encourage other forms of medicine," she said.