A new state-of-the-art cancer care centre is to be created in Cumbria as part of a potential £50m investment in the county's health services.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and NHS England boss Simon Stevens have announced that Cumbria will get between £30m and £50m of funding to improve access to chemo and radiotherapy.

The cash will be used to establish a brand new "cancer centre", complete with new equipment at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

It's part of a huge £325m of capital investment from the Government in projects across the country, aimed at improving patient care.

Stephen Eames, lead for the west, north and east Cumbria Health and Care Partnership (STP) said: “This is fantastic news for patients in Cumbria.

"This significant investment in our local cancer services – in partnership with the excellent specialist services at Newcastle hospitals – means we can provide more modern cancer treatment, from state of the art facilities, which will benefit people living across north Cumbria."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “This funding will support strong local plans to help the NHS modernise and transform care for patients.

"A measure of success of these transformation partnerships is that people can see and feel improvements being made in their local area – there are already excellent examples of this across the country and this money will allow them to go further and faster.”

NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens said: “Today we’re firing the starting gun on the first wave of major service upgrades and care redesign which will benefit people living in counties, towns and cities across England.

"For patients it’ll mean easier GP appointments, modern A&Es, and better cancer and mental health care.

"For staff, we’re putting our money where our mouth is in backing these practical plans developed by doctors, nurses and local NHS leaders.

"This is the first down payment of much needed investment in modern equipment and NHS facilities, with more promised in the autumn and beyond.

"Today is proof positive that when you back the NHS with investment, both patients and taxpayers see the practical benefits.”