A HUDDERSFIELD couple laid the first stone in a new cancer research institute in Leeds after donating £¼m to the project.

David and Luisa Scacchetti, founders of Colne Bridge based Mamas & Papas nursery products, played a key role in establishing the new research institute at St James' Hospital, Leeds.

The £20m project will develop the Institute of Molecular Medicine and Cancer Research on the site of the old hospital laundry.

David and Luisa, who both lost their fathers to cancer, donated the money to Cancer Research UK, which is contributing £2m to the research institute.

The rest of the six-floor building will be funded by a variety of donors.

Cancer Research UK will have its own floor, named the Mamas & Papas Laboratory, in recognition of David and Luisa's contribution.

Cancer Research UK is working on Immunotherapy, a new area, which aims to stimulate the body's immune system into fighting cancer cells.

Prof Richard Vile, one of the world's leading authorities on Immunotherapy, has been recruited to lead the project.