PIONEERING work resear-ching one of the biggest killers in Britain has landed two Lancaster scientists a top prize.

University boffins Dr Frank Martin, lecturer in molecular carcinogenesis, and Professor Trevor McMillan, Peel Professor of cancer biology, have been awarded the Brian Booth Oncology Research Prize.

They were part of a team which conducted a two-year study into the possible triggers of prostate cancer. Now they have won £2,000 to take their research on to the next stage.

The pair's winning research project is entitled an analysis of hormone or carcinogen metabo-lising enzyme expression in human prostate in relation to susceptibility to adencarcinoma and an epidemiological investigation of lifestyle risk factors'.

It identified the triggers which may prompt the development of prostate cancer in some men and also sought to examine lifestyle factors in relation to the patient and their family.

The Brian Booth prize was established in tribute to a former chairman of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.

He had a lifelong commitment to education and support for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, which hopes to raise the profile of oncology research.