Andrew Phillips

A Lincoln professor who helped develop innovative cancer treatment technology will take to an international stage with his findings.

University of Lincoln Professor of Image Engineering, Nigel Allinson MBE, will deliver a talk at the tenth International Conference on Position Sensitive Detectors, taking place from September 7 to 12.

The conference, which takes place at the University of Surrey, features the latest developments from leading researchers around the world.

Professor Allinson will present findings from his proton beam therapy project.

The PRaVDA (Proton Radiotherapy Verification and Dosimetry Applications) project, which is funded by a £1.6 million grant from the Wellcome Trust is pioneered by Professor Allinson.

He and his multinational team are developing one of the most complex medical instruments possible in an attempt to improve the delivery of proton beam therapy in cancer treatment.

Professor Allinson will discuss advances in medical imaging technology, which could make proton beam therapy a viable treatment for cancer sufferers.

Proton beam therapy is a type of particle therapy that uses a beam of protons to irradiate diseased tissue.

The therapy has the ability to deliver high doses of radiation directly to a tumour site with very little radiation being absorbed into healthy tissue.

The grant form the Welcome Trust has already provided a unique instrument capable of producing real-time 3D images – a proton CT – of a patient, drawing data from the same protons used in the treatment itself.

Professor Allinson will also be talking about his research to prospective students at the University of Lincoln open day on September 20.

Professor Allison said: “PRaVDA will ensure more difficult tumours will become treatable and more patients overall will be able to receive this revolutionary treatment.”

A homeless family are the first to benefit from private rented housing as part of a scheme introduced by the City of Lincoln Council.

The Landlord Accreditation Scheme, which was launched in July in partnership with DASH Services, hopes to bring benefits to both the landlord and tenant by encouraging letting agreements with residents most in need.

To join the council’s scheme, properties must be of a good standard and let at an affordable rent.

Landlords with properties to let or residents looking for affordable accommodation can find out more about the scheme online or by contacting 01522 873781.

Landlord Howard Kemp, who recently let his property to a homeless family, said: “I am very happy to support the city council with their scheme.

“They quickly found a family to move into my property and they have settled in very well. It is reassuring that I can contact the Private Housing Liaison Officer directly at the council should the need arise.”

Private Housing Liaison Officer Joanna Gray was pleased with the successful launch of the scheme. She said: “We are beginning to receive enquiries from landlords following a successful launch of the scheme in July.

“We are really pleased to have re-housed a homeless family who would otherwise have had to wait a long time for suitable accommodation. They may also have had to go into temporary accommodation, which is very stressful and disruptive for families with children.

“Our scheme encourages and supports good standards in private rented housing by supporting landlords and recognising the good work they do. We hope this will help to improve the quality of housing in Lincoln.”