CANCER care in the North-East has received a big boost - thanks to readers of The Northern Echo.

Dr Jenny Skinner's arrival in the region a year early is a testament to the remarkable fund-raising campaign mounted by Macmillan Cancer relief with the backing of The Northern Echo.

Since the launch of the Macmillan Cancer Relief County Durham Appeal in October 2001, the charity has made tremendous progress towards raising £600,000.

Initially the plan was to raise the cash over a three-year period but a few weeks ago the charity confirmed that it had already raised more than £320,000 in only 18 months.

The cash is already being used to improve services in County Durham.

A specialist nurse, who is working on improving standards of pain control in care homes, is already in place.

Now Dr Jenny Skinner, a consultant in palliative care recruited from a hospice in Liverpool, is in post and a second consultant will start work shortly. In her first interview, Dr Skinner explains what she is planning to do.