COLCHESTER residents are being given a strong chance of surviving cancer through early diagnosis despite last year's scandal, new figures reveal.

Experimental data from Public Health England reveals a postcode lottery of how often cancers are detected in their first or second stage.

Colchester borough residents are the sixth most likely to have their cancer picked up early, giving them a better chance of survival.

That happens in 58.9 per cent of cases, well above the national average of 42 per cent.

For a special report, see Tuesday's Gazette