Surgeon at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and chair of the new “centre” Professor John Neoptolemos, said: “This work will be happening on your doorstep in Liverpool, and you will see the benefits in survival.

“Cancer Research UK has managed to bring together a variety of eminent researchers and clinicians to collaborate and work together to improve the lives and extend the survival of Merseyside’s cancer patients.

“This area of the country has poor survival in a number of cancers.

“One of Cancer Research UK’s goals is to invest more money in treating patients who have what we call the “neglected” cancers where survival is poor, such as pancreatic cancer.”

CRUK already supports research in Liverpool but is set to increase its contribution to a total of £3m because of the project, which aims to make the city a world leader.

It brings together the Royal Liverpool Hospital, Clatterbridge Centre of Oncology, University of Liverpool, the City Council and the Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Task Force.

Darren Hurrell, chief executive at the Clatterbridge Centre said: “We believe working in partnership will enable us to provide the best possible results for cancer patients.”