MRS Cherie Blair has spoken movingly about her personal experiences with breast cancer.

As she opened a new breast screening unit in Stockton, the Prime Minister's wife told how she had lost a relative and a friend to the disease.

She also spoke of her own fear of cancer and her confidence at being treated locally when she needs breast examinations. I realised the impact breast cancer can have on everyone involved," she said. "The friend was only my age and had three children.

"I have since learned a lot more about breast cancer - not just the sadness but the positive aspects of advanced technology and services such as we are seeing being provided here at North Tees hospital."

Mrs Blair was officially opening the new £330,000 facility to screen and treat breast cancer patients on Teesside, parts of North Yorkshire and South Durham - some 80,000 women.

The unit centralises the breast service at Stockton, combining a screening service and the breast cancer clinic.

Further details on page 3