More than 85pc of cancer patients started their treatment within two months of GP referral, with Norwich Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) hitting the NHS target.

During the 2017-18 financial year, 508 total cancer patients were referred to hospital urgently by their doctors, and 66 did not start their treatment within 62 days, according to NHS figures.

That means 87pc were seen within two months, clearing the government's operational target of 85pc.

The target aims to ensure almost all patients start treatment in two months.

However, it does allow for a minority of patients who choose to delay their course of treatment, which may be chemotherapy, surgery or radiation therapy.

Norwich CCG's figure has improved since 2016-17, when 79.6pc of patients started treatment two months after referral.

Across England more than three quarters of all CCGs are running below the operational target.