Visitors, patients and staff at Bradford hospitals can now do their bit to help the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can... Cancer Research Appeal.

Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, together with recycling firm Alcan, have teamed up to help the appeal so people can deposit used drinks cans in special bins dotted around the sites.

All the proceeds of every can put in these collection points - nine at Bradford Royal Infirmary and six at St Luke's Hospital - will go towards the appeal to raise £1m for cancer research.

Alcan take the cans for recycling and for every kilogramme collected, 45p goes towards the appeal. Bradford-based Sovereign Health Care has pledged to double that as part of its promise to match every pound raised in the community, up to £100,000.

Karen Snape, assistant director for non-clinical support services, said the bins had been situated near cafes, vending machines, shops and entrances. She said: "Hopefully people will drink them and pop their cans in the bin."

She added that they wanted to help raise much-needed funds for cancer research - and help the environment.

"We are pleased to support the appeal and are trying to encourage not only staff but visitors and patients in the hospitals to use the collection points," she said.

All staff have been informed about the scheme and anyone who wanted to deposit cans was welcome to use the bins in the hospital.

The Bradford Can... appeal is aiming to raise £1m for cancer research at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Bradford University's Cancer Research Unit. When the £1m is reached, it will unlock another £5m from Cancer Research UK.

Alcan can banks for the Bradford Can... appeal have already been placed in car-parks in two Asda stores and at Bradford University. Community recycling scheme Curb is also collecting cans for the appeal and anyone who gives cans to Alcan at various collection points throughout the city can specify that they want their donation to go towards the Bradford Can... appeal.

Curb is open from 9am until 5pm from Monday to Friday at the Scotchman Road side of Listers Mill, Bradford, and people can donate cans, newspapers, magazines, cardboard, glass and plastic bottles and foil. For more information contact (01274) 408222.