THE number of women referred to the Pink Rose Suite in Grimsby Hospital has soared on the back of a moving story line on Coronation Street.

Over January and February, medical records show new referrals to the state-of-the-art breast cancer care unit in Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, almost doubled.

And staff working at the suite believe the surge is a direct result of the ITV soap's touching story line where character, Sally Webster, played by Sally Whittaker, bravely battles breast cancer.

The story hit our screens over Christmas and January and showed the mother-of-two's reaction to diagnosis, courage during treatment and fearful reluctance to tell her family - something cancer survivors have said they identify with.

Mr Leslie Donaldson, the hospital's leading Breast Cancer Consultant, agrees the soap had a huge impact.

He said: "It is certain if breast cancer becomes a major story line in a serial programme it will attract a lot of interest and therefore increase awareness. It happened when Jade Goody was diagnosed with cervical cancer - we recorded a 200 per cent increase in cervical smear testing."

The story of Sally Webster’s brave battle with breast cancer has prompted more women to check their breasts.

Figures released today by Grimsby hospital bosses show new referrals increased by 46.39 per cent in February and 30.69 per cent in January, compared with the same months in 2009.

The influx of new referrals was so great, staff even opened extra clinics to cope and staff frequently worked until 9pm.

As reported, the Pink Rose Suite was built three years ago following the Grimsby Telegraph's hugely successful Pink Rose Appeal.

The Suite guarantees all patients are seen within two weeks of referral - a timescale Government now wants every UK hospital to achieve.

However, the increase in referrals does not mean more people are developing the illness, but is an indication women are checking their breasts at home more frequently.

Carol Jennifer Smith received treatment at the Pink Rose Suite and is now in remission.

Rachel Cubbinson, the suite's Breast Care Manager said: "We have predominantly seen more of the worried well coming in. Thankfully we haven't picked up anymore cancer, but we have reassured patients."

A Coronation Street spokesperson said: "We were heartened to hear there's been an increase in the number of women coming forward for screening at the Pink Rose Suite, and are pleased to learn the story line has contributed. We've worked alongside Genesis and Breast Cancer Care to achieve authenticity while playing out this story line."

Read about one local woman's fight against the disease in today's Grimsby Telegraph.