A NEW service offering advice and support to cancer patients has been launched in East Lancashire.

Help Direct, in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support, will provide essential potentially life-saving support to residents.

Through the new partnership, essential support will be delivered by Help Direct volunteers at dedicated ‘advice pods’ throughout the region about cancer care, advice and support services.

The new volunteers, who will complete a full training programme to provide the support, will also be able to signpost customers to organisations that can help people get the most out of life, from community groups to gardening services.

The ‘pods’ will be available at a number of initial locations, including The Calico Group head offices amd St Peter’s Centre in Burnley, Acorn Primary Health Care Centre, Accrington, and Rossendale Primary Health Care Centre, Rawtenstall.