Work has started on building on a new radiotherapy cancer treatment centre at a Norwich hospital, which will increase the number of patients who can be treated by a third over the next five years.

The new �4.5m unit will be next to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's Mulbarton ward and will house two more linear accelerators, bring the total of six 'linacs' at N&N. The first will be installed once the building work is complete, due to be by the end of summer next year, and a second is due to be installed in 2015.

This equipment provides radiotherapy for a range of cancers and works by using high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells.

Consultant oncologist Jenny Nobes said radiotherapy is often used instead of surgery, and can have the same effectiveness.

She said: 'Hopefully waiting times will be less for radiotherapy and more patients will be able to benefit from this locally.'

The plans also include a new orthovoltage treatment room with equipment which can treat cancers which sit near the surface of the body, such as some skin cancers.

The new build will include a waiting area, office space and two consulting rooms and to help cancer patients avoid a hospital admission, there will be space for a new Acute Oncology Suite to provide rapid assessment and treatment for patients who are experiencing complications with their cancer or its treatment.

About 200 patients receive radiotherapy each month at the N&N, with patients referred from other local hospitals including the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn.