FUNDRAISERS for the Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE) are furious that a start date has not been set for a new cancer centre at Taunton's Musgrove Park Hospital.

The SURE campaign, backed by the County Gazette, aims to raise £600,000 to provide cancer equipment in the new centre so cancer patients no longer have to travel to Bristol each time they need treatment.

They started fundraising in late 2000 and have so far raised in excess of £400,000.

The County Gazette has joined forces with SURE to help them raise the final £200,000, with £6,726 collected so far, but the members are becoming despondent.

Treasurer Eric Saffin said: "We've been promised over and again that a start date for the work will be announced, but nothing comes of it.

"We were last told the date would be announced at the end of June, but once again we have heard nothing.

"Everyone is concerned as to what's going on, but the hospital just won't tell us."

The hospital says the financial arrangements are almost complete on the project and that a start date is expected by the middle of the month.

Spokesman Mark Wall said: "There have been some delays in sorting out the all the details of the project with all the partners involved, but there are no big issues left to resolve.

"All we have to do now is all get together to sign off the paperwork and things can go ahead.

"We're expecting that to be completed by the middle of the month."

The £600,000 will provide a scanner/simulator that scans people in a spiral, enabling the exact size and location of a tumour to be pinpointed.

This means treatment can then be pinpointed at the tum-our and not unaffected areas.

The money will also provide a piece of equipment that will make lead masks to protect patients' other organs when receiving treatment, which is particularly beneficial for tumours in the head.