Extra funding for cancer care is not reaching patients, a leading charity has warned.

While the £570 million extra funding earmarked for cancer treatment has been welcomed, Macmillan Cancer Care argued that flaws in the system were preventing it from reaching the places where it is needed.

Of the 20 strategic health authorities surveyed for the charity, only 11 could provide details of their spending for 2003-4, while only five could give information to 2006.

A breakdown of the cancer budgets were offered by four authorities, while four referred to the information on their websites.

The claims come after health secretary John Reid ordered an investigation into why access to some cancer drugs varies across the country.

"Despite the government's best intentions, and a welcome extra £570 million for cancer services by 2004, the challenge remains," argued Macmillan chief executive Peter Cardy.

"The government must be seen to get the money spent where it's meant in a way that makes it count for patients.

"It can be done, but only if investment is tracked effectively."

The charity called on the government to make a commitment to improve the tracking of cancer funding in the NHS and to report its findings to parliament.

There should also be a mechanism for tracking the investment and its benefit to patients, the charity said, and publicity should be organised to show how cancer funding is spent locally.