BREAST cancer services in East Lancashire are poised to receive a major £250,000 boost.

Health bosses have revealed that cash saved on cutting bureaucracy in the health service will be spent on fighting the killer disease which kills two women every week in the district.

Talks have started to decide how the money will be spent to develop the service.

The move comes after the Government ordered savings of £100 million in NHS management costs, which would be re-directed into patients care.

More than £10 million will be shared between health authorities in the North West with East Lancashire due to receive about a £110,000 share. Health chiefs will use money from its own reserves to make the amount up to £250,000.

David Peat, chief executive of East Lancashire Health Authority, said the money would provide a major investment in breast cancer services.

He said: "This is a major boost in what is a very emotive and sensitive area."

Medics are currently finalising plans to create an accredited cancer unit across Blackburn and Burnley hospitals which will focus on breast, lung and colo-rectal cancers.

The boost comes two weeks after the health authority made a dramatic U-turn and opted not to withdraw funding for two part-time breast care nurses following severe public pressure.

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