SCOTS golfer Colin ­Montgomerie visited the site of a new cancer ­support centre built in honour of his late mother.

The sportsman was given a tour around the new Maggie's Centre at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, which is due to open later this year.

The principal funder for the centre, which will offer practicial and emotional support to cancer patients, was the Elizabeth Montgomerie Foundation, the organisation founded by Colin in memory of his mother, who died of lung cancer.

The building will replace a temporary centre in the grounds of Wishaw General.

The Ryder Cup-winning team captain met Maggie's chief ­executive Laura Lee, staff, ­centre visitors and others who have contributed to the centre.

The Foundation was also the sole funder of Maggie's Aberdeen.

Colin said: "There are a lot of people in this area with cancer, I believe it has the highest rate in Western Europe.

"This centre will help an ­awful lot of local people.

"It's wonderful to see the efforts of fundraising in bricks and mortar, to see the building take life.

"There is a real feeling of peace, already and the light is just spectacular.

"The building work is so close to completion now that it is easy to see the end result; a building I know will bring comfort, solace and relief to every one who enters.

"The work of Maggie's in supporting people with cancer and their family and friends is of growing importance.

"I will be extraordinarily proud to have another centre named after my mum."

The building was designed by architects Reiach & Hall to be warm, welcoming and full of light and open space.

There will also be large rooms for workshops, which might include stress management and relaxation courses.

Laura Lee, chief executive of the charity, said: "We put a lot of time and thought into the design of a Maggie's, knowing as we do the importance of environment when it comes to wellbeing, and it is marvellous to see each centre emerge filled with its own character yet in essence a place with care, warmth and calmness at its heart.

"It was wonderful to be there with Colin whose Foundation has contributed so much to Maggie's and to meet others who have played such a vital role in bringing Maggie's ­Lanarkshire to Monklands Hospital."

caroline.wilson@eveningtimes.co.uk