PRIME Minister Tony Blair has given his support to Manchester's biggest ever charity gig.

Manchester versus Cancer, which takes place at the MEN Arena on Saturday night, features a line-up of top artists including Bolton's Badly Brawn Boy, Bury band Elbow, New Order, Doves, Stephen Fretwell, and Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke from 80s legends The Smiths.

Proceeds from ticket sales will go to Manchester's Christie Hospital.

Writing in the concert's official programme, the Prime Minister said: "It is a fantastic initiative both to increase awareness of how we prevent and detect cancer and to raise funds for the Christie Hospital.

"It is thanks, of course, to the expertise and dedication of everyone at the Christie - and other excellent cancer centres in our NHS - that the survival rates of cancer patients have improved dramatically.

"But while there has been spectacular progress in recent years, there is more to do before we match the best in the world over the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

"So I know the Christie will make excellent use of the money raised."

The gig was the idea of Andy Rourke, following news that his manager's sister and father had been diagnosed with cancer. Along with friends and contacts, he decided to raise money for alternatives to chemotherapy at the Christie.

Andy said: "The line-up has become one of the best I've ever seen, and with so many friends joining in it's become even better than we imagined."

Demand for tickets has been so great that seats in the upper tier of the Arena have now been made available for £25.

Tickets are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and more information about the event can be obtained at www.manchestervcancer .co.uk