FORMER Blackburn Rovers star Alan Shearer today helped kick-start a £25 million appeal to develop "star wars" technology to fight cancer.

Christie's Against Cancer was launched by the Manchester hospital's patron the Duchess of Kent.

It aims to finance 11 interlinked projects to create "kinder, shorter and more successful" cancer treatments.

Hospital chairman John Lee said: "Imagine coming in as a day patient and having your cancer treated and going home cured."

Shearer made a video for the launch, wearing an England shirt with £25 million on his back.

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