A PIONEERING cancer project in the region was recognised at an awards ceremony and conference in the south west last week.

The purpose of the event in Torquay was to celebrate modernisation in the NHS. It was the innovative work of the Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire Cancer Services that made it stand out from the 110 entries.

Director of public health at the Wiltshire Health Authority Professor Philip Milner said it had taken five years to develop the service, which won recognition for incorporating the help and experiences of previous cancer sufferers into its service.

He said: "This cancer network includes eight NHS trusts, three health authorities, 14 primary care organisations, six hospices and over 60 voluntary organisations and service users."