TWO local breast cancer sufferers have learned they will be prescribed the wonderdrug, Herceptin.

Nurse and mum of two, Alyson Cooper, said today: "I have my life, my children have their mother and we can look to the future."

And mum-of-two, Amanda D'argue said: "I have been crying, then laughing, then crying again."

Mrs Cooper spoke out after Primary Care Trust chiefs across Greater Manchester agreed to fund the life-saving treatment for all women who will benefit from it.

Their decision came in the face of mounting pressure from cancer sufferers, MPs, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mrs Cooper, aged 45, from Bradshaw, fought off cancer 13 years ago but it recently returned.

She was initially told she could not have Herceptin, but that decision has now been reversed.

She said: "All the tears, upset, worry and frustration have been worth it. I had a feeling of huge relief as soon as I heard.

"Before this decision, I had no hope, but now I have a future and that is fantastic."

Representatives from the 14 trusts across Greater Manchester met on Friday to discuss the provision of funding to support the wider prescribing of Herceptin to breast cancer sufferers.

Kevin Snee, chief executive of the Bolton trust and chairman of the Greater Manchester and Cheshire Cancer Network, said: "I am pleased this issue is now resolved.

"We know it's been a very difficult and anxious time for individual patients.

"It has also been a difficult decision for the health community in Greater Manchester, and it has been good to see the clinicians and managers from different parts of the NHS in the area working together to reach a consensus."

Women with breast cancer must meet certain criteria to qualify for Herceptin under rules drawn up during the meeting.

They must be register with a Greater Manchester GP and be under treatment at the Christie Hospital.

The clinicians of individual patients must also be confident the potential benefits outweigh the risks in the individual patients case.

Health chiefs anticipate that as a result of the decision, around 300 patients will be treated in Greater Manchester every year at an annual cost of around £7.9 million.

Costs in this financial year are expected to be in the region of £1 million, with around 125 patients starting treatment, a course of which lasts for 12 months.

Until Friday's ruling, Herceptin was only available to women with advanced breast cancer. Now it will be given to women in the early stages of the illness.

Last week, Stoke Primary Care Trust reversed its decision to refuse the drug to Elaine Barber after a High Court Battle.

Shortly after that decision, the Health Secretary said trusts should not refuse to prescribe it on health grounds. It is expected the drug will be available in all NHS Trust areas next year when the drugs licensing authority is expected to approve it.

Mum-of-two, Amanda D'argue, aged 39, of Winchester Road Radcliffe, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in July and has been told she too will be treated with the drug.

She said: "I have been crying, then laughing, then crying again. This is such a weight off my mind, it is unbelievable. My sisters and mum were with me when I found out about the news. Everybody is thrilled, this is going to make such a difference."

David Crausby, MP for Bolton North East, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. It has been an emotional ride but finally we feel they have come to the right decision.

"It is bad enough to have cancer without having to fight for the medicine you need to save your life.

" The decision over drugs such as this should always be a medical not a financial one."