The foundation draws in £3m a year in grants and donations and it grants £1.5m out for research into the early detection of lung cancer.

Professor Ray Donnelly, founder and president of the Foundation, said: “The important thing is the current building, which was built for lung cancer research, will continue. However we have got too big for the administration, fundraising, and tobacco control staff.

“The university will now have more opportunity to move in other cancer specialists, creating a wonderful centre for cancer research.