A mobile cancer screening service is to return to Basildon after a new site for it was found.

The mobile service used to be stationed outside the Basildon Centre, but due to the market moving this was no longer possible.

Instead, those needing screening were sent to Corringham.

The screening can be used to detect many types of cancer, including breast, lung and colorectal.

Independent councillor Kerry Smith put forward a motion to the most recent Basildon full council meeting asking for the council to support a breast cancer screening service returning in the borough.

The motion was amended by councillor Anthony Hedley to include different types of cancer screening and was agreed by other councillors.

The car park at the George Hurd Centre has been put forward and a mobile service should be available there from autumn.

Councillor Smith said: “I am very happy that we are doing everything we can to save lives.

“This motion has the power to save 144 lives and this council is going to do everything it can to support this vital service.”

He added the NHS had been “desperate” to find a venue in Basildon for the service.

For every 180 women who are screened for breast cancer, one death can be prevented.

However, more than 23 per cent of women invited in south Essex do not attend their screening appointment, which means that if they did attend, 144 more lives could be saved.

A spokesman from Basildon Council said: “Basildon Council previously allowed the mobile breast cancer screening bus to be stationed outside the Basildon Centre.

“This is no longer possible due to ongoing work to relocate the market to St Martin’s Square.

“Patients are currently being screened in Corringham instead.

“We have been liaising with NHS Foundation Trust to find a suitable alternative location in the borough and have agreed that the breast unit will be re-located in the car park outside the George Hurd Centre as soon as possible.

“Members agreed a motion put forward by councillor Kerry Smith and amended by councillor Anthony Hedley at council on July 13 to support the breast cancer screening service in the borough and we are delighted a suitable site has been identified.”