The Aylesford Unit - named after a family who helped raise funds for it - provides day case and outpatient facilities for patients with a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of cancer.

Previously, patients with cancerous tumours – including lung, bladder, breast and bowel – had to travel elsewhere, particularly to Coventry, to receive chemotherapy treatment.

Now many of them will be able to have continuous care, from initial investigation onwards, at Warwick.

Patients with lung and bladder cancer are among the first to benefit from the new facilities, with breast cancer patients due to join them from November.

Hospital chief executive Glen Burley said: "The facility is first class and I would like to thank the project team for their considerable effort in creating such as fantastic facility and for it to be opening on time.

"It has of course only been achieved through the fundraising efforts of our community and in particular Jenny Farrell and Gwen Jefferson."

Designed in conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Support, the centre has a 14-bay chemotherapy treatment area, consulting rooms and a private courtyard garden.

Patients can also receive support from an information service, dieticians, psychologists, nurses and palliative care team.

A support specialist has recently been appointed and patients will be able to book an appointment with her.

Maureen Walker, who is responsible for cancer services, haematology and palliative care at the hospital, said: "The new unit will help us to fulfil patients' wishes to receive more of their care and treatment in their hospital, in familiar surroundings and with familiar faces around them."

The centre also has a separate, glass walled entrance and reception area and a small car park.

South Warwickshire General Hospitals NHS Trust has provided £600,000 towards building and equipping the unit, £200,000 came from Macmillan

Cancer Support and the remainder was raised through a fundraising drive spearheaded by residents Jenny Farrell and Gwen Jefferson. So far they have raised more than £430,000.

It is expected that around 1,600 people will use the new unit during its first year of opening.