A LIVERPOOL cancer centre today celebrated its first anniversary.

Clatterbridge’s radiotherapy centre in Fazakerley has treated 1,000 patients since it opened in February 2011.

And its first patient Dougie Barclay, from Anfield, was also celebrating after his successful treatment.

The 64-year-old was being given radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

He will now have annual check ups for five years before he is given the all clear.

The centre, positioned next to neurological hospital the Walton Centre, was partly funded by a charity appeal from Marina Dalglish, who received treatment for breast cancer at Clatterbridge.

It means that radiotherapy patients can be treated this side of the water, as opposed to travelling to Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology in Wirral.

Mr Barclay said: "Having the new centre in Liverpool made such a difference.

"Nobody wants to have to go through this, but I was able to get the bus to the hospital and it made it far less stressful.

"If I had been treated in Wirral I would have had to rely on volunteer drivers, and it would have taken all day. The staff were wonderful."

Centre manager Julie Fenlon: "It’s been fantastic to witness first hand how this centre has made such a huge impact on the lives of our patients.