Comedian backs cancer campaign

Chubby Brown is recovering from throat cancer

The Teesside comedian Roy Chubby Brown has been unveiled as the new weapon in the fight against cancer.

Grangetown-born Mr Brown has been fighting throat cancer and will now urge others to be aware of the symptoms.

He has been signed up by Middlesbrough's North Riding Infirmary to help promote a cancer awareness campaign.

Mr Brown, 59, is now recovering from his own illness.

High incidence

He wants others to be aware of the warning signs of cancer and the need for seeking early treatment.

The campaign focuses on head and neck cancers which have a particularly high incidence on Teesside.

There is also concern that some men over 45 go to their GPs too late after the symptoms first appeared.

Doctors say cancers of the throat, jaw and windpipe are rising in younger people because of the number who are smoking and drinking.