Israel's contribution towards curing cancer was highlighted on Tuesday by executives of Manchester's Christie cancer hospital.

More than 100 people heard the hospital's chairman, Jim Martin, talk about increasing links with Israeli cancer research institutes at a Manchester British-Israel Chamber of Commerce lunch.

Mr Martin also spoke of the Christie's strong debt to its many generous Jewish donors. "We have a good strong relationship with the Israel Cancer Association and recognise, respect and acknowledge Israel's efforts though people like Nobel Prize laureate Professor Aaron Ciechanover of Israel's Technion and the Weizmann Institute's Professor Yosef Yarden."

Also present was the hospital's chief executive, Caroline Shaw, who said afterwards: "We've recently increased links with Israel and it is a real privilege for our institute to be working with the Weizmann to find a cure for cancer."