A business that supports people with rare cancers has been named among the 100 top start-up companies in the UK.

RareCan is a Hexham business platform that allows those with rarer forms of cancer to share their data with researchers to speed up the discovery of new diagnostics and treatments. It has recently been ranked 56th in The Startups 100 by TheStartups.co.uk.

It was set up two years ago by founder Andy Hall and his colleagues Claire Heron, Piers Kotting, and Simon Allocca, who are celebrating the ranking and the success of acquiring over 1,100 registrations to the RareCan community.

It also secured partnerships with three cancer support groups and a Service Agreement with leading global MedTech provider IQVIA.

"I started the business after leaving Newcastle University after 35 years," Andy said.

"I trained in medicine, and instead of seeing patients, I ran the laboratory at the university.

READ MORE Stocksfield cake artist named edible sculptor of the year

"My main work was in children's cancers, especially Leukemia, but after retiring, I wanted to help more people.

"I saw that there was no research into rare cancers and that something needed to be done for a group of people with the same type of cancer.

"So the idea was to help adults with rare cancer and match them to a suitable drug company. I told my colleagues about it, and they were determined as I was to do it.

"I found that after people find out that they have cancer, after the shock of the diagnosis. They want to find others who are the same, as they are lonely and want to be proactive in finding a cure.

"When someone contacts us - we find others who are alike, then search for the appropriate drug trials for that type of cancer.

"There are many drug trials around that are looking into the rare cancers, and it is exciting to see the technology progressing to helping those in need.

"Getting as many people as possible on the trials is essential.

"Without them, the drug they are testing will not go into the public space if there is no reassurance of it being tested.

"We are thrilled to be recognised and hope it helps to publicise our work to help more people."