May 2007: The National Radiotherapy Advisory Group issued guidelines saying patients should not live more than 45 minutes from radiotherapy.

Oct 2008: MP Tim Farron launched an Early Day Motion to raise awareness of the need for South Lakeland cancer services.

Jul 2009: Health bosses began scouting for a south Cumbria site.

Dec 2009: Kendal was put forward for a radiotherapy centre. The University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust and the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust began a business plan.

May 2011: A chemotherapy unit launched at Westmorland General.

Oct 2011: Tim Farron upped pressure on commissioners into approving a radiotherapy centre.

Now: Health chiefs are in discussions to decide if plans will work. A radiotherapy centre could be seen in South Lakeland in two years.

Tim Farron, MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale

This is about saving and prolonging lives. An awful situation can be made much worse by unnecessary distance.

Dr Hugh Reeve, NHS Cumbria

The last thing patients want is a long drive for treatment. People are turning down care that could help them live longer and help them deal with the pain better.

Prof John Ashton, Cumbria’s director of public health

The creation of a cancer centre in Preston was part of the solution. The final piece of the jigsaw is the creation of a centre in south Cumbria.

Kevin Young, Westmorland Gazette editor

Lives are being lost because people have to travel around 50 miles to receive basic radiotherapy treatment. We are appealing to readers to get behind our campaign.

Are you affected by the lack of local radiotherapy treatment? Let us know. Contact Helen Perkins here.