A £100,000 appeal has been launched to fund a new cancer unit at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

The target needs to be reached so Bolton cancer patients can be treated in one building.

Once raised the money will be used to buy new equipment including a hi-tech blood analyser and drip stands as well as reclining chairs and televisions.

The unit will only house out-patients who are undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy or patients who have appointments with doctors and specialist nurses.

The Churchill Cancer Appeal is named after the old Bolton Royal Infirmary's Churchill ward and because the new unit is on Churchill Drive.

Current patients have been central to the scheme with many choosing the colours of the unit, the flooring and decor. And the fund-raising has already started.

Turton Rotary Club's recent duck race at Bradshaw Brook raised £1,400 and was the first installment made to the appeal. The rotary club has nominated the appeal as their annual charity. Chief fund-raiser is Jenny Walsh, who headed the successful Coronary Care Appeal. She said: "It's going to be really appreciated by patients.

"The unit will be a calming and pleasant environment where patients will help be able to build relationships with the staff who can put them at ease. The unit will also be great for staff because the environment they work in will appear much calmer."

Kathy Sandler, lead nurse for cancer services, said: "We want to bring all the cancer services together. It will give a much better mix for patients having chemotherapy, those not seeing doctors and outpatients seeing specialists."

Marie Meehan, MacMillan chemotherapy co-ordinator, said: "We want to provide a quiet environment both for our patients and their carers. Patients will feel comfortable while having their treatment because there will be a television they can watch and windows that look out on to fields. It will allow the staff to give the best possible care, which is only what the patients deserve."

At present, cancer patients are scattered around the hospital site for treatment.

Last year, 1,100 patients were treated for cancer at Bolton. Of those, 203 women were treated for breast cancer, 129 patients were treated for colorectal cancer, 165 for lung cancer and 69 for blood cancers such as leukaemia.

The unit, which is based where the old hospital nursery used to be, will open in September but the fund-raising will need to continue for further equipment.

All donations can be sent to: The Appeals Office, Royal Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0JR. Cheques should be made payable to the Churchill Cancer Appeal. Donations can also be left at the cashiers office in the main entrance to the hospital.