Public donations to charity the Big C have part-funded a piece of state-of-the-art cancer fighting equipment, that is now in use at the Norwich Research Park.

Eastern Daily Press: Areial view of the Norwich Research Park. Picture: Norwich Research ParkAreial view of the Norwich Research Park. Picture: Norwich Research Park (Image: Archant)

The equipment is currently being used by Dr Darrell Green, a senior research associate at the University of East Anglia (UEA) for his work on childhood bone cancers.

The ClearCell FX system will be used by Dr Green, who will soon take up the position of lecturer in medicine at UEA.

Dr Green said: 'This piece of equipment which isolates cancer cells that have been shed into the blood from tumours, is far superior to closely related technologies.

'For over 30 years treatment for bone cancer hasn't changed. Last year, partners of the National Cancer Research Institute spent £683m on cancer research but only £430,000 of that was for bone cancer – down 3pc from the previous year.'

Eastern Daily Press: Big C Centre. .Picture: James BassBig C Centre. .Picture: James Bass (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2010)

There are only two of the machines in the UK, one in Manchester and one in Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Ther new bioscience research and development (R&D) facility for Leaf Systems, located on Norwich Research Park, which received the ncec award in 2017 in the value category which focused on the value of facilities in use and the outcomes for owners and users. Picture from LSI ArchitectsTher new bioscience research and development (R&D) facility for Leaf Systems, located on Norwich Research Park, which received the ncec award in 2017 in the value category which focused on the value of facilities in use and the outcomes for owners and users. Picture from LSI Architects (Image: © Richard Osbourne)