A YORKSHIRE heroine opened a new doctors' surgery in Huddersfield.

Cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson agreed to officially open the Grange Group Practice in Spaines Road, Fartown, after receiving a moving letter from practice manager Susan Perkins.

Susan's son, Matthew, died from a form of cancer known as Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was just 28.

Matthew was a good athlete, and with Jane raising so much money for charities by running marathons and completing other gruelling events, Susan thought it would be wonderful if she could open the surgery.

Jane, 39, a mother-of-three from Leeds, agreed and unveiled a plaque at the surgery yesterday.

She said: "I have been asked to do quite a few things like this, but I don't do very many.

"This was different. The letter Sue wrote to me was very moving and it was really a personal thing that I wanted to be here today.

"GPs are the first port of call for most patients suffering from diseases like cancer and they do such an important job in the health service."

Jane has become an inspirational character and, despite being diagnosed as terminally ill with cancer, has taken part in many marathons and triathlons since 2001.

She has raised £450,000 for charities including Sport Aided Research for Kids (Sparks), Cancer Research UK and The Paediatric Acute Services at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

After initially being diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 26, Jane had a mastectomy. But the cancer returned three years ago.

She was told the cancer had spread to her lungs and bones and was incurable.

Doctors told Jane she had months to live - but she was determined to prove that anything is possible and is still battling on after undergoing a recent course of chemotherapy.

After her original cancer treatment 13 years ago, Jane decided to become a radiographer. She now works at Leeds General Infirmary.

She was awarded an honorary degree from Huddersfield University last November - receiving a standing ovation - and cycled from John o' Groat's to Land's End last spring.

She has also been awarded the MBE, the 2002 Woman of Courage Award and the Helen Rollason Award for courage in the face of adversity. That was presented by athlete Paula Radcliffe at the 2002 BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony.

The Grange Group Practice is a purpose-built surgery next to the practice's former premises at Fartown Health Centre.

Senior partner Dr David Anderson said: "When I think back to when the practice started 45 years ago, it consisted of two doctors seeing patients from what were effectively two front rooms.

"Now, we have six doctors working from a purpose-built modern surgery, offering a huge range of services for patients.

"People's health needs are now being met much more effectively, with high-quality services."

Since moving to the new premises six months ago, the practice has been able to expand the range of services and advice for patients. Services include baby massage, a diabetes specialist nurse, a clinical psychologist, community psychiatric nurses and district nursing clinics.

The practice has a pharmacist on site one morning a week. It is part of a project supporting nurse-led care and employs a nurse practitioner.

Dr Anderson added: "We are extremely grateful to Jane for coming along and we will be making a donation to Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton, as a `thank you.' "