POP star Sir Cliff Richard has praised The Northern Echo's campaign to ensurethat dementia patients get the medication they need.

Sir Cliff, whose mother suffers from Alzheimer's disease, was responding to news that more than a thousand readers have signed up to our Don't Stop Dementia Drugs campaign.

The campaign was launched 12 days ago to back the Alzheimer's Society's fight to overturn new restrictions on vital NHS drugs.

Sir Cliff, who talked about his mother's dementia on BBC television yesterday, said: "It's great to hear of The Northern Echo's support for the Alzheimer's Society's campaign.

"As someone whose mother has suffered from this appalling illness for several years now, I know how cruel it can be and how vital it is that sufferers receive the medication they need. All power to you."

The aim of our campaign is to put pressure on the Government to set aside advice from the drugs watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which will mean that, from November 22, newly-diagnosed Alzheimer's patients will be denied many of the drugs that they need.

The Nice guidance has been opposed by the Alzheimer's Society as well as by specialist doctors and nurses working in the field.

We asked readers to sign a printed form calling on Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt "to intervene on the side of thousands of dementia patients".

Readers have responded in their hundreds and yesterday the postbag reached 1,029 signed forms.

The Northern Echo's website has also received 118 emails expressing support for our campaign from as far afield as Frinton-on-Sea, in Essex, and Lanarkshire in Scotland.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, which is planning protests and marches across England and Wales on Friday, November 17, said: "It is fantastic news that The Northern Echo's campaign is going so well and that the public has shown such tremendous support. The Government must sit up and listen to the public."

In the North-East and North Yorkshire, the Alzheimer's Society has organised marches which will be staged in Newcastle, Harrogate and York.

In Newcastle, hundreds of supporters are expected to march from the Haymarket to Grey's Monument, in the city centre, at noon, to make their feelings known.

In York, supporters will gather at the Merchant Adventurers Hall at 11.30am and walk to the Minster at noon.

* To back our campaign click on Don't Stop Dementia Drugs Campaign.