A Norwich MP has been announced as the first patron of a new charity aimed at raising awareness about male cancers.

Chloe Smith, Norwich North MP, yesterday accepted the role at the Blue Ribbon Foundation at a ceremony conducted at the Evening News' head office in Rouen Road.

The charity was the brainchild of prostate cancer survivor Mel Lacey, a former policeman from Norwich, whose recovery from the disease prompted him to want to do something to help other men and raise awareness about male cancers.

Ms Smith said: 'I am delighted to have been invited to become the first patron of the Blue Ribbon Foundation. The foundation does brilliant work promoting men's health issues, bringing these issues into public discussion in the hope that more lives will be saved.

'This is a charity started from scratch by a local man and it's a tribute to him to have made it a success.' Mr Lacey, 63, a trustee of the charity, said he was delighted the city MP had taken up the offer of becoming the charity's first patron. He said: 'Chloe has been supporting my efforts ever since I started and she is, for me, the ideal first choice.'

Mr Lacey and Ms Smith were joined yesterday by Jonathan Prince, chairman of trustees of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, and fellow trustee Mike Paskin.

Mr Prince, who is also a trustee of the Pink Ribbon Foundation for women, said he was delighted to have Ms Smith on board with the charity which aimed to 'make men more aware of themselves'.

For more information about the Blue Ribbon Foundation charity log on to www.blueribbonfoundation.org.uk

Norwich North MP Chloe Smith is pictured above with Mike Paskin, Jonathan Prince and Mel Lacey after becoming the first patron of the Blue Ribbon Foundation.

PHOTO: SIMON FINLAY