Building of the Magpie Cancer Centre at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital should start within the next two months.

The centre will be on the ground floor of a new diagnostic treatment centre (DTC) between Nightingale block and the supplies building at Queens Road.

The DTC will have three theatres, an endoscopy suite and a ward on the top floor, with floors two and three outpatients, pharmacy and other services.

The hospital's finance director, John Williams, said the first phase would cost £11.2m. Of this, £500,000 was the cost of the Magpie shell and a further £1m would be needed to fit out the cancer centre

"The good news for the local community is that the Magpie Cancer Centre will be on the ground floor with its own entrance, so that it does not become a through-area for patients," he said.

"The centre itself will incorporate breast cancer outpatients, a chemotherapy cancer treatment ward, nurse support areas, together with a series of areas where people who have recently had cancer diagnosed can meet those who have lived with cancer some while; where they can talk about their concerns with nurses and counsellors and have an information area covering all aspects of cancer."

The unit received a significant boost with International Southern Minstrels show producer, Iris Price, proudly handed over a cheque for £2,350 to the unit's fund-raising director, Anne Jackson.

The money was raised at the Minstrels' song and dance show, at The Guildhall and attended by the Mayor of Winchester, John Steel.

Anne Jackson told the audience that, two years ago, £31.5m was needed to build the unit. "Now we need just over £1m. It means that with fund-raising by the Minstrels - and many other organisations - the unit should be in operation by the end of summer, 2004."

The Minstrels have now raised over £3,000 within a week. A show at Petersfield Festival Hall realised £800 for one of the town's charities.

* Anne Jackson can be contacted on 01962 825089.