The number of cancer patients waiting a dangerously long time for treatment has doubled in two years.

People in Brighton wait an average three months for treatment, despite a Government target of four weeks, during which time their cancer could develop further.

In other parts of Britain, some patients are forced to wait more than eight months, during which time many of their cancers become incurable, a study revealed.

The findings were revealed in a report by the Royal College of Radiologists.

A Department of Health spokesman said a shortage of trained staff was being addressed but admitted people were waiting too long.

Waiting times for radiotherapy are rising in all parts of the UK except Wales and Northern Ireland, according to the report.

The number of patients waiting longer than the Government's target has more than doubled.

Ian Keeber, spokesman for Brighton Healthcare NHS Trust, admitted that only about 30 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Brighton saw a consultant within two weeks, based on records in September last year.

This was despite a Government target of everyone seeing a consultant with two weeks of diagnosis.

He could not confirm how long patients had to wait for radiotherapy in Brighton.

He said: "It depends on the type of cancer. Some are extremely slow growing while some are quick growing and time is of the essence.

"We recognise cancer is extremely serious and someone who has been diagnosed wants treatment as quickly as possible. We do invest additional resources to try and make sure patients are seen as quickly as possible."

Mr Keeber said the Government's Commission for Health Improvement said breast cancer services in Brighton were in need of upgrading.

Report author, Dr Nick James, of Birmingham University's Institute for Cancer Studies, said he had no doubt patients were dying unnecessarily.