POOLE Hospital has been chosen to take part in revolutionary new trials aimed at improving survival rates in lung cancer patients.

As part of one of the world's largest lung cancer trials, doctors in Poole will investigate whether a new blood-thinning drug, Dalte-parin, can help prevent blood clots in sufferers.

Poole Hospital is hoping to recruit some of the 2,400 patients required to take part in the trial across 50 to 100 centres in the UK.

Dr Virginia Laurence, who is leading the trial at Poole Hospital, said: "Blood clots are quite common in people who have lung cancer and may be dangerous.

"We hope to learn how to reduce the risk of this problem and improve the treatment for patients."

Cancer Research UK is funding the trial, named Fragmatic, to see if the drug can help reduce clots and help identify any possible side effects.

Lung cancer patients are at an increased risk of blood clots in their veins because of chemotherapy, surgery, inactivity or the cancer itself.

Kate Law, Cancer Research UK's clinical trials director, said lung cancer remains the second most common cancer in the UK.

She said: "It is vital we continue to research new treatments and also improve existing treatments for the disease."

For more information on the trial, go to cancerhelp. org.uk or call Seonaid Wright at Poole Hospital on 01202 442135.