Ambitious plans to open Bradford's state-of-the-art cancer centre this month have been postponed again.

The £5.2million Marie Curie Cancer Care hospice will not admit its first patient until July - nearly six months after the original opening date in February.

Cancer sufferers will continue to be referred to the Ardenlea Hospice in Ilkley until the end of June.

Ardenlea Centre Director Sheena Bradley today blamed bad weather for the delay and admitted that some patients would be disappointed.

She said: "Our original timetable for relocating to Bradford was ambitious and was not helped by the adverse weather over winter. It's been very wet and the building problems we've encountered have accumulated.

"Obviously some will be impatient for the new centre to open as they would not have to consider the difficulties of travelling to Ilkley."

The new horseshoe shaped building near Leeds Road Hospital will house 16 beds, a day-care centre complete with physiotherapy lounge, hairdressers and activity area.

Built of brick and glass, it aims to offer bright, therapeutic surroundings for sufferers in comparison to cramped accommodation at the former Railwaymens' Convalescent Home.

Although major building work on site has been completed, bad weather conditions delayed the opening planned for February and it was postponed until May.

Mrs Bradley said the remaining work consisted of furnishing the building and installing medical equipment.

She said: "We were hoping to move on May 31 following a four-week phased reduction in services at Ardenlea. However, that is no longer possible and it will be business as usual for a few weeks more."

The charity's Bradford Appeal Fundraiser Brian Curran added: "The important issue is the fact that patients will still be getting the high quality care at Ardenlea that Marie Curie is renowned for."