WEST Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed the opening of the county’s new oncology centre.

The £22.5 million Worcestershire Oncology Centre opened in patients in January following more than four years of work.

Mrs Baldwin, who was part of the lobbying for funding for the unit, recently visited the centre at Worcestershire Royal Hospital to plant a black pear tree outside it.

She called the opening of the centre “a huge step forward” for cancer patients in the county.

“This will make a big difference to local people who will now be saved the trauma of having to make long daily journeys to undergo difficult treatments,” she said.

“The NHS does an amazing job to help people at their time of need and I am pleased to help celebrate this further improvement to the Worcestershire NHS.”

Before the opening of the centre, which will be officially opened by Princess Anne on Monday, April 13, cancer patients in Worcestershire faced long, daily trips to Coventry, Cheltenham or Wolverhampton for treatment.