GOLFER Colin Montgomerie helped launch a new cancer support centre that will bear his late mother's name.

The former Ryder Cup winning captain took part in a ceremonial ground-breaking on the land where the purpose-built Maggie's Centre at Monklands Hospital will stand.

The Elizabeth Mont-gomerie Foundation (EMF), which works in partnership with Maggie's, has provided £1million towards the cost of the project in Airdrie.

Colin Montgomerie founded the charity in memory of his mum who died of lung cancer.

An interim Maggie's Centre has been open in the grounds of Wishaw General Hospital for five years providing support for thousands of people.

The new centre was designed by leading architects Reiach and Hall and will offer drop-in, one-to-one sessions with psychologists, nutrition workshops, tai chi and other services.

Montgomerie said: "I am absolutely delighted to know work is beginning on Maggie's Lanarkshire at the Elizabeth Montgomerie Building.

"With a much larger, purpose-built centre many more people will be able to benefit from Maggie's unique programme of support."

A range of individuals, companies, charitable trusts and community groups across Lanarkshire have helped generate the funds for the new centre and the programme that it will deliver.

Maggie's Lanarkshire centre head Lorrie Forsyth said: "For building work to be starting on the new permanent Maggie's Centre for Lanarkshire on the grounds of Monklands Hospital is incredibly exciting.

"I hope staff and visitors to the hospital will feel a great sense of anticipation as they see the building come to life before their eyes.

"The new purpose-built centre, situated close to where many people receive their cancer treatment, will mean we are able to provide a wider range of support to a great many more people."

There are currently 15 fully operational Maggie's Centres, with Maggie's first international centre opening in Hong Kong earlier this year.

The first Maggie's Centre was built in Edinburgh in 1996 from plans drawn up by founder Maggie Keswick Jencks before she died of cancer in 1995.