A CAMPAIGN to help patients with incurable cancer has received a five-figure boost.

The Rank Foundation has given £5,000 to the Macmillan Cancer Relief charity's County Durham Appeal to improve palliative care.

It has been matched by another £5,000 raised by Macmillan supporters throughout the county, from £200 raised by Great North runner John Hutchinson, of Bearpark, Durham City, to more than £300 raised by Darlington and District Ladies Bowling League.

The announcement is a timely boost in the run up to the charity's next set-piece fundraising event, a concert by the Durham Constabulary Band.

Macmillan hopes to raise £600,000 to cover the costs for three years of a new palliative care consultant and two specialist nurses.

Caroline Peacock, spokeswoman for the Macmillan appeal, said: "Rank has regularly supported Macmillan over the years, giving significant sums of money to the various area appeals.

"This donation, coming as it does in the very early days of the local campaign, is very exciting news and confirms the importance of the posts for which Macmillan is fundraising in County Durham."

The county has relatively few Macmillan cancer nurses to provide the specialist care needed by patients with incurable illness.

Macmillan also want to appoint a palliative care consultant to treat patients and raise standards across the county.

Mrs Peacock said the charity was hoping for a full-house when the Durham police band give a fundraising concert at the Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, on Saturday, November 24, at 7.30pm.

For more information about the concert ring the appeal office on 0191-384 8090.